Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day. Without Him I would fall.

Even in the comparatively short time that I have known Him, the Lord Jesus has become exceedingly precious to me. Sell Him? God forbid that I should even think of it. The whole world with all its wealth, pleasures, amusements, and “a fence around it” would have to hide in shame before the riches and glory of Christ.

Despite His wealth, Christ loves me. He is my life. When I was buried with Him in baptism, I put Him on, and now He is a part of me. He knows the path that I will tread; He knows each smooth and grassy spot, each rocky steep, each mud hole. I could not live without Him for a minute.

He is my joy and peace. Outside of Christ these things are impossible. Satan’s joys are artificial, few and far between, and very perishable. Neither has he any peace to offer, but tries to dispel my fears with sugary words and a false feeling of security. In Christ I have fullness of joy, and the peace of the Almighty reigns in my heart.

Nothing is worthwhile without Christ; for every good and perfect gift is from above. He is my all. Life is vain apart from Him. He even works my algebra problems and guides my thoughts when I take a test. I may think my work far too difficult, but when I invite the Lord to help me work, He brings me out on top. He will not come uninvited, for He will not force Himself on anyone. The door must be opened.

When I let Him in, He carries all my loads. I can tell Him all my problems; they are safe with Him. He irons out each difficulty no matter how great, and I need not fear when I trust Him with all my heart and “lean not upon my own understanding,”. He is a true Friend. When I acknowledge Him in all my ways, He directs my paths. He has led me to fellow Christians who are “fountains of love” in order that I may be “fitted for service above.”

He strengthens me daily. I cannot stand without Him. When I come to rocky places or slip in mud holes and fall, He gently picks me up and carries me to a grassy slope where I can stand again. But Could He not keep me from falling in the first place? Surely, He could, but usually I am so stubborn, hard-headed, and contrary that He can teach me in no other way. (How grieved He must be because of my willful spirit,)

When we come to a fork in the road, He gently steers me the way he wants me to go. If I fail to follow His guidance, He must chasten me until I hearken; because He knows the perils of my way. I still can make my own choice, but because of His love He won’t let me go my own way without first warning me. Then when I turn loose of Him and try to run ahead or lag behind I tumble head over heels down the rocky hillside. In spite of my folly and waywardness He is there to comfort me and bind my wounds.

Apart from Christ I am helpless. He said, “Apart from me ye can do nothing.” In Christ I am all powerful. The inspired apostle said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This applies to me also because as a child of God I have access to “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” All I have to do is lay hold of them

God grant me the boldness to proclaim the name of Him Who loved me and gave Himself up for me at every opportunity until He returns.

Mary Knecht Lewter, “Good Tidings,” Winter 1955