I surrender all!

The movie tickets had been booked. I had been eagerly waiting for the release of the movie ‘The Least of These’. We had booked for the 10pm show hoping my two year old would be fast asleep by then. The movie was based on the remarkable true life story of Dr.Graham Staines, the Australian missionary who was matyred for his mission work among the lepers of the Indian State of Odisha.

It was January 23rd, 1999 when the news of the brutal murder of Dr.Staines and his two sons sent shock waves across the nation. The incident had made an impact on me, a sixth grader then, when I learnt the power of sacrifice and forgiveness. Now, almost two decades later, as I watched the movie, the forgotten account of the Staines family was brought back alive.

Dr.Staines had felt called to global missions as a teenager, when he had seen a picture of a boy with leprosy. Having grown up in Vellore all my life, the life of Dr.Ida Scudder, the founder of India’s biggest mission hospital, had an impact on me and I’ve always wanted to become a medical missionary. Decades have gone by and now, as a mother of two young children, Dr.Staines’ commitment reminded me of my own decision I had made as a child and of these lines by CT.Studd-

“Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

As the movie progressed, I couldn’t help the tears that rolled down-tears for the two young women, Gladys and Esther, who could still feel the pain of the loss to this day. Knowing that the pain from the sudden loss of a loved one remains for a life time,  I couldn’t even imagine the rugged terrain they have been treading. This huge unexpected loss calls for true courage.

God had prepared Gladys Staines (wife of Dr.Staines) for bearing this greatest grief.  She recalls:

 “I believe God very specially spoke to me on January 14, during my morning quiet time.  I use a particular daily Bible reading book as help.  The story for that day’s reading ran like this:  There was a young 12-year-old girl in hospital that was losing her sight.  Her pastor came to visit her and she told him, “Pastor, God is taking away my sight.”  For a long time, the pastor kept silent and then said, “Jessie, don’t let Him.”  The girl was puzzled, and then the wise pastor said, “Give it to Him”.  As I meditated upon this story, an inner voice asked me whether I was also willing to give all that I love – my husband, children, and possessions for Him.  I spent much time on this.  Tears began to roll down my cheeks.  Then I told Him, “Lord Jesus, yes, I am willing.  Take all that have, for your use – my husband, children and everything that I have.  I surrender them all to You…The Lord comforted me by saying, “don’t you know that Abraham pleased me by sacrificing his only son, Isaac….” These days, our blessed Lord has been strengthening me in very unusual ways.”

What a testimony! Are we willing to give God everything we have? A complete surrender? Do we mean it when we sing,

"I surrender all,

I surrender all.

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all ?"