The Night She Gave Everything Away

Frances Ridley Havergal was already a celebrated Victorian hymn writer when, in February 1874, she spent five days visiting a house full of friends. On the last night, unable to sleep, she prayed for each person under that roof and felt God answer for every one of them. In the overflow of that moment, she wrote the words that Christians have sung for over a century: "Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee."

But Havergal did not stop at poetry. Within months, she gathered her jewelry — pieces she genuinely loved — and sent them to the Church Missionary Society. She kept only a brooch and a locket she considered mementos. In a letter to a friend, she wrote: "I don't think I need tell you I never packed a box with such pleasure."

She gave away what she treasured, not from guilt, but from gladness.

That is what real sacrifice looks like. It is not the grim-faced surrender of something we would rather keep. It is what happens when we have seen the goodness of the Almighty so clearly that holding on feels smaller than letting go.

Paul understood this when he wrote, "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

What might joy — not duty — be inviting you to release today?