The Knightess' Oath.

"Do you solemnly swear to serve the Lord God and to obey Him in whatever calling he doth give, not excepting anything, no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem?"

The above is the oath of the Knightesses of the Round Table, a fellowship of girls and women on the Dragons in our Midst forum who come together to pray for and encourage one another.

It looks so simple written down. So, so simple.

So do the words, "I surrender all."

But when you go to live them out, you find it's a much different story. Whatever calling, we swear. Whatever calling? That includes the things we wouldn't think to do. The tasks that require a sacrifice. The ones that leave you feeling as if there is no one for you. Even when it feels as if you're alone in a sea of despair and hatred, pressing onward. Going to the places that you wouldn't have chosen to. Reaching out to those who under any other circumstances you wouldn't speak to.

Whatever calling, not excepting anything.

That's a high bar to set.

I'm not saying it should be lowered. Not at all. I'm just wondering, though, and I'm talking to myself here as well, how many of us are really that ready to give it all up for Him. To not just stick a toe out of our comfort zone and decide we've done enough for God today, but to literally throw ourselves out of what we know into what we don't. To dive into it, not just splash in the edges, but dive and keep diving, pressing on according to His direction and purpose no matter what the obstacles.

The words "I surrender all" pose the same question.

All, my friends, doesn't just mean the things you're proud of. The things you love. Those are actually easiest to give away. Dreams are more difficult, but still easier.

What about the things you would never reveal to the world? The thoughts and past sins you've locked away in a chest and buried, never to be seen.

"All" means those things too.

Our depression.
Our sin.
Our despair.
Our anger.
Our temptations.
Our faults.
All the things we are not proud of.

"Take the beauty take my tears; sin-soaked heart make it yours. Take my world, it all is yours. Take it now. Take it now." *

Thoughts. Maybe it's just me.

But think some. Read the pledge again. Would you go absolutely anywhere, do absolutely anything, to the point of death or alienation from family or friends, for the sake of the cross?

Do you surrender all?

This isn't meant to depress. Please, don't take this as an excuse to cry out from lack of hope. But take hope, I urge you. And be free.

For whomever the Son sets free is free indeed.

*World Apart, Jars of Clay