Surrender & Trust

Focus Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25 (MSG)
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.

Reflection:
Why is it so hard for us to surrender? Is it pride, selfishness, worry, fear, desire for control? Or is it a lack of trust? Trust requires ultimate vulnerability and it requires you to be okay with NOT being in total control. There seems to be a prevailing view out there that surrendering is a sign of weakness. But, it is only in surrendering that you can experience true freedom and fulfillment!

The purposes and plans of God far exceed anything I could ever imagine – read Ephesians 3:20. When I fail to surrender my desires for the future to my Creator, I am sacrificing His good, pleasing and perfect will for my life. I may attain what I set my mind and heart to, but will it bring fulfillment? I believe that people – especially Christians – will constantly have a feeling of unsatisfaction unless they surrender to the will and plan of God. If you do things your way, it might work out BUT, you might miss out on ALL that God has for your life. I don’t know about you, but I for one do NOT want to miss out on what God has in store for me.

Application:
What would the world look like if the people of God actually surrendered their lives, finances, skills, and time to the will of God? I challenge you this week to join me in being more intentional about putting to death the selfish desires of your flesh and instead embracing a lifestyle of surrender. I am convinced that if we do this, we will be able – maybe for the first time – to see just how beautiful the world can be and how purposeful our own lives can be. Will you join me?

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, we don’t entirely understand what it means to live a life of surrender. I pray that you help us to be people who give up on our own selfish, God-excluded aspirations and instead pursue a life of God-directed dreams. Give us the courage, faith, humility, and desire to surrender. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

The Divine Exchange

Have you ever found yourself bogged down with worry, fear, anger, busyness, frustration, and/or impatience? I am assuming we all have felt one or more of these emotions at least once (dare I say two or three times) each week. Now, have you ever stopped to contemplate or think about why you feel this extra weightiness? The source of these feelings is either insecurity or discontent with your own life OR heartache or empathy for a close family member or friend. On rare occasions, some may experience a compounded effect resulting from the combination of both your own worries and those of another. However, my point in discussing this topic is not so much to discuss the source of these heavy and exhausting emotional conditions, but rather to enlighten my readers about what I will refer to as the “Divine Exchange.”

What I have just described above is Phase 1: Identification & Analysis – What is wrong and Why do I feel this way?

Phase 2 is what I call: Internalization & Inaction – This is when you make comments like, “I am supposed to feel this way,” or “It is what it is,” or “It will always be this way.” Do not give in to these kinds of thoughts because they are merely self-defeating, discouraging, cyclical lies. The only way to break free of this phase is to courageously make the Divine Exchange with The King of kings. Let me briefly describe what I mean by sharing a scripture:

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”‘

Check it out in The Message:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Analysis and Application:
If we take our worries, fears, doubts, concerns – call them whatever you want – and give them to Christ, we receive in exchange an easy and light yoke. What you are carrying around in your heart and mind, even if you have good intentions in carrying it, is not yours to carry. Give it over to the Lord and receive the freedom you desire and deserve. May His will be done in your life this week and every week!