My wife is reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book “Through Gates of Splendor,” a true story of some of the most remarkable displays of faith and the personification of God’s love and forgiveness. She tells me it’s good, and I think I’ll end up reading it myself. They also released a movie of the same story this year, “Beyond the Gates of Splendor,” and reviews make it out to be quite moving.

I’m afraid my faith is a bit lacking at times.

Really, I’m in awe of those who give up everything to live out their faith, and I’d lie if I said I shared that same devotion. I wish I did, I pray that someday I may, but it excites and terrifies me to see that same kind of complete surrender in my own life. It would have to be all God, because I know myself pretty well, and that includes a desire for comfort and security that just wouldn’t mesh well with the kind of service the Elliots gave themselves up to.

God, would you give me the strength to surrender to you today?