‘I will be that man.'
Will you stand up and be counted? asks Alex Morgan.
In 1873 two Christian preachers were talking about a conference they had just attended.
Henry Varley said to his new friend DL Moody, “Moody, the world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to him.”
These words so pierced Moody’s heart that he couldn’t get them out of his mind and said these words to himself, “I will be that man. If God is looking for a man of integrity, a man of honour and courage and faithfulness, with God’s help I will be such a man.”
Moody would go on to become one of the greatest evangelists of the 19th century.
And the words that inspired him have become words that have inspired and challenged me.
They have challenged me in a way that makes me ask the question as to what it means to be a man that is fully consecrated to God?
What things am I doing that I need to stop doing in order to be fully sold out for him? What does it look like to have a heart that is truly and totally surrendered to God?
These words of Paul often come to the fore in my life: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do,” (Romans 7:15).
And, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified,” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
I know that the more I do this, the more I will become like him.
But also I know that in doing this I will begin to see God move in my life in ways I haven’t seen before.
However, these words also fill me with hope and wonder, allowing me to dream about what God can do. What transformations could it bring to my home, workplace, church and my community?
What would God do in this world and in Elim if the men were fully consecrated to him?
If our hearts were truly and totally his, and we made a commitment to be men of integrity, honour, courage and faithfulness?
And to improve in one of these areas over the next year and then teach and inspire others to live this way? What would it mean to the generation that is following behind, and what impact would it have on our nation?
Two Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
God is looking to strengthen men whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Will you rise to the challenge? Will you stand up and be counted? Will you be a man who says to God, ”I’m going to be a man whose heart is truly and totally surrendered to you?”
Will you join a movement of men in Elim who are going to be examples in integrity, honour, courage and faithfulness in every area of life?
This article first appeared in the March 2022 issue of Direction, Elim’s monthly magazine. Subscribe now to get Direction delivered directly to your home.
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