Surrender
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
Galatians 2:20
The words of Galatians 2:20 are easier to read than they are to live. I remember when I first moved to America 17 years ago – some days were really hard. No family, nothing familiar, new culture – it was easy to feel sorry for myself & think about all that I had sacrificed to come here. Then God would remind me “that’s what I asked you to do”. Surrender means to yield something to the possession or power of another. I made a decision many years ago to surrender my life to God & it is still a daily decision to yield my will to His. Here are a few revelations I have had about surrendering…
- Surrender is never about personal gain – it’s about yielding to God, making a conscious decision that God has a better plan. Let Him be in the drivers seat of your life. I guarantee that His plan & purpose for your life will be larger – above & beyond whatever you could hope for!
- Surrender is about giving up an “all about me” mentality. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego are great examples to us of men who refused to yield to the pressure of doing something they had a conviction was wrong. You can read their story in the book of Daniel. These 3 men were threatened with being burned to death unless they bowed to the will of King Nebuchadnezzar, however they refused to bow & were thrown into a blazing furnace. They proclaimed in Daniel 3:17-18 that God could deliver them from the fire, but even if He didn’t they still refused to do the wrong thing by God.
- A surrendered life is about being patient & true for God with your whole life. When the tough times come, running away from life seems like a great option. My friend Gaye wanted to do exactly this when her husband died after a long battle with cancer. Her decision to “rise up”, rather than “shrink back” in this season has been the hugest blessing to her, her family & her church. Many a person at Wave Church going through crisis has been encouraged & given hope for the future by this inspirational & courageous woman of God!
- Surrender happens in understanding everything God has done for us. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, not my will but yours be done”
Jesus agonized over yielding to God’s will on the cross. We would be lost if not for Jesus surrendering His will to the Father. He gave everything for us – what an example He sets!
PRAYER
Jesus, here I am again – please help me to be all You have called me to be. I give my life afresh to you, please use me & help me to live life with you in the center. I love you!
Love,
Sharon xxx