Return to the Devotionals page.
William Borden lived a very brief, yet immensely impactful life that drew thousands to Christ and inspires millions to this day. His unshakable devotion to Jesus, exemplary Christ-like character, and laser-focused heart for ministry are not only an encouragement to believers but also a challenge that calls us to examine our walk with Christ. This examination should involve the three principles that drove Borden to live a life of complete surrender: no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets.
The first principle, no reserves, challenges us to completely surrender our lives to Christ. Despite some believing he was throwing his life away, Borden had unparalleled confidence in the opposite, refusing to set aside his calling as a missionary to pursue worldly desires. Such was why Borden described his life with "no reserves;" instead of reserving His calling, he cast aside all worldly distractions and pursuits to give way to total surrender to Christ. This is the lifestyle Romans 12:2 calls us to live: one that eschews the world's influence to give way to the Holy Spirit renewing our minds so we can receive spiritual discernment and know God's will. Thus, we apply the principle of no reserves by refusing to put aside our callings, leaving no room for self-serving pursuits in our lives, and completely surrendering them to Christ.
The second principle, no retreats, tests our obedience to God's will. Following his graduation, Borden could have chosen one of many opportunities he received to live a safer, more lucrative, and arguably longer life. However, he forsook these disobedient options and instead chose to fully obey God's call for him to be a foreign missionary, describing his choice with "no retreats." Romans 12:1 notes that such faithfulness to God's calling requires us to be living sacrifices to Him, refusing to disobey Him for the sake of earthly security, benefits, or opportunities. Thus, when we apply the principle of no retreats, the Holy Spirit will give us the faith and strength necessary to obey all God's callings, regardless of the fears and temptations that come our way.
The final principle, no regrets, challenges us to be joyous and thankful to God in all circumstances. During the final month of shockingly brief life, Borden suffered with spinal meningitis and never fulfilled his desire to share the Gospel with China's Muslim population. Despite the unspeakable pain and heartache his circumstances caused, his unwavering faith and joy in Christ empowered him to choose contentment over resentment while concluding his astounding life with two final words: "No regrets." Such powerful resolve should also be ours, for 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:13 note that contentment in all situations is God's will and is possible when we rely not on our strength but Christ's. Thus, the principle of no regrets will transform our lives when we choose thankfulness over bitterness, worship over worrying, and God's will over ours in all circumstances.
By completely surrendering his life to Christ, William Borden brought thousands to Him, transformed college campuses, and inspired millions of believers. His incredible life challenges us to mimic his example by prioritizing Christ over worldly pursuits, obeying all God's callings, and choosing contentment in all circumstances. By seeking the Holy Spirit's strength in pursuing this humble yet anointed lifestyle, we too can live with no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets, living in complete surrender to Christ and being used mightily by God for His glory and purposes.
Return to the Devotionals page.