It’s a common church house scene.
In baskets, bags, plates or boxes, churches collect money for something they call an offering.
The functional reality: congregations can’t offer what they haven’t first collected.
Same goes for individuals.
Before I can offer myself as a living sacrifice, I have some collecting to do.
I gather my thoughts, feelings, and desires and “lift up my soul,” as the psalmist calls it.
This requires closet work.
Alone.
In secret.
Listening first.
Once collected, I’m ready to offer the greatest thing I can – all of me.
Turns out, that’s what He wanted all along.