Surrender & Trust
February 18, 2011 at 9:40 pm 1 comment
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.
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Brett | February 19, 2011 at 4:59 am
Phil – I LOVE your writing and teaching. Thanks for sharing. Trust is such a funny thing, and so hard for us/me with God. On a large-scale level it’s easy to say I/we trust God, but in practice there’s always “small” parts I/we hold back. Good thoughts brother – I’m in with you this week!