Surrender - Part 2
"So dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give you to give your bodies to the Lord because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him." Romans 12:1 (NLT)
What does it mean to truly SURRENDER your life to Christ? I am discovering that at age 51, it is a lot more difficult than when I was 11.
At age 11 I hadn't yet faced any real fears, pride was no problem and there was no confusion. GOD LOVED ME AND I LOVED HIM. As a child of God all I wanted to do was serve Him and obey.
Then things happened - bad things, scary things and worst of all, things I had no control over. Oh I still knew God loved me, but fear was becoming overwhelming.
Unlike my simple childhood faith, as an adult I had started to develop a little pride. I discovered this inner need to be in control of everything. I needed to be `in charge' of my life, and when faced with my limitations I became a little angry and resentful.
Then life started to get confusing and I began asking questions. Questions like: Why can other people have it all and can do it all? Why can't I be like them instead of having to face so many problems and insecurities? Why don't things always work out for good for those who have always trusted the Lord?
When I was 3 years old I lost my mother to cancer. Life for a child in a single parent family wasn't always wonderful, but I coped. I had a father, sisters and even then I knew I had a God who cared for me. Then when I got married and discovered I was a terrible housekeeper and didn't know how to cook, I started to ask questions. When I had my own child I started comparing myself to other mothers - I had no idea what I was doing and had no one around to seek guidance from. It was then I started to get bitter. It was then I became very internal and decided I would just have to take charge of my own life.
As an adult it became harder to rely on God. I wanted to trust Him and to surrender my life into His hands, but I wanted to be in charge.
"The reason why many are troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders and interfering with God's work within us." A.W Tozer
For me, who pretty much had a happy childhood, it is good to look back and to remember what it was like as a child. I am reminded of the PEACE, FREEDOM AND VICTORY that came from surrendering my life to God.
"Submit to God and you will have peace. Then things will go well with you." Job 22:21
"For the Lord delights in His people. He crowns the humble with victory." Psalm 149:4
As I driver I still lack a little confidence. Because of illness it took me a little longer than most people to get their license - like about 25 years. So when I get in the car I always make sure Jesus is there with me. I have discovered that when he has the `steering wheel', my reflexes and concentration are better. Most of all, when I let him take the controls I always reach my destination safely.
I am learning more and more each day that I don't have to be in control. I am learning how to hand over all my bitterness, my fears and confusion to the Lord. I am discovering as the Word reminds me:
"SURRENDER doesn't weaken you it strengthens you"
"SURRENDER is not the best way to live it is the only way"
"Nothing is more powerful than a SURRENDERED LIFE in the hands of God."
(Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life)
What does it mean to truly SURRENDER your life to Christ? I am discovering that at age 51, it is a lot more difficult than when I was 11.
At age 11 I hadn't yet faced any real fears, pride was no problem and there was no confusion. GOD LOVED ME AND I LOVED HIM. As a child of God all I wanted to do was serve Him and obey.
Then things happened - bad things, scary things and worst of all, things I had no control over. Oh I still knew God loved me, but fear was becoming overwhelming.
Unlike my simple childhood faith, as an adult I had started to develop a little pride. I discovered this inner need to be in control of everything. I needed to be `in charge' of my life, and when faced with my limitations I became a little angry and resentful.
Then life started to get confusing and I began asking questions. Questions like: Why can other people have it all and can do it all? Why can't I be like them instead of having to face so many problems and insecurities? Why don't things always work out for good for those who have always trusted the Lord?
When I was 3 years old I lost my mother to cancer. Life for a child in a single parent family wasn't always wonderful, but I coped. I had a father, sisters and even then I knew I had a God who cared for me. Then when I got married and discovered I was a terrible housekeeper and didn't know how to cook, I started to ask questions. When I had my own child I started comparing myself to other mothers - I had no idea what I was doing and had no one around to seek guidance from. It was then I started to get bitter. It was then I became very internal and decided I would just have to take charge of my own life.
As an adult it became harder to rely on God. I wanted to trust Him and to surrender my life into His hands, but I wanted to be in charge.
"The reason why many are troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders and interfering with God's work within us." A.W Tozer
For me, who pretty much had a happy childhood, it is good to look back and to remember what it was like as a child. I am reminded of the PEACE, FREEDOM AND VICTORY that came from surrendering my life to God.
"Submit to God and you will have peace. Then things will go well with you." Job 22:21
"For the Lord delights in His people. He crowns the humble with victory." Psalm 149:4
As I driver I still lack a little confidence. Because of illness it took me a little longer than most people to get their license - like about 25 years. So when I get in the car I always make sure Jesus is there with me. I have discovered that when he has the `steering wheel', my reflexes and concentration are better. Most of all, when I let him take the controls I always reach my destination safely.
I am learning more and more each day that I don't have to be in control. I am learning how to hand over all my bitterness, my fears and confusion to the Lord. I am discovering as the Word reminds me:
"SURRENDER doesn't weaken you it strengthens you"
"SURRENDER is not the best way to live it is the only way"
"Nothing is more powerful than a SURRENDERED LIFE in the hands of God."
(Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life)
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