Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ – Philippians 3:8
So I’ve been processing my One Word for this year. A lot. Even saying it out loud can give me the shivers.
Surrender.
I started off a bit resentful when God gave me this word. I mean, really, Lord? Is it because I haven’t surrendered quite enough yet? You didn’t just need my running, You also needed my walking? Speaking wasn’t enough; You required my singing, as well?
I was thinking of surrender as the things that would be lost to me in this year. Frankly, it terrifies me and it’s not something God expects us to make peace with overnight. I really believe that it’s a lifelong process.
Through my prayers (see: crying out) and my questions (see: begins with “how dare You?”), God began to reshape my understanding of the word Surrender and what exactly it looked like in the coming year.
It didn’t necessarily mean that I would NOT lose my walking or my singing, or fifty other things that I as a human long to hold onto… but God is showing me that the Surrender He has in mind is a different sort.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7
I might one day reach the point where I can make peace with surrendering my abilities. But when will I ever reach the point where I can turn over my cares?
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:22
I strive to release my health, but the striving really comes when I even consider releasing my burdens.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Surrender is an exchange. Why is it so incredibly difficult to surrender my fear? My great burdens? My worries and cares? What He wants to give me instead is a perfect rest. A burden that is easy and light.
Let me teach you, He says in the above verse.
I’m listening, Lord. I surrender.
Dear God, please keep in the forefront of my mind that what You wish for me to surrender are not my abilities, talents and gifts. What You long for me to surrender are the things that weigh me down, the things that keep me from You. What a marvelous gift. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Oh yes, surrender! Isn’t it amazing at how that is the hardest obedient act to let go of, yet filled with the most peace and gratification. It’s easy to surrender at first when everything is going our way, but the moment we don’t like how things are going, we take that control back. I’m walking right with you on this one, it is super hard. Praying that we both can surrender.
Warm hugs and love, Tammy
Tammy+Ingram recently posted…New Year, New Promises
I must really like to worry because it’s so hard to give it to Jesus. The scriptures you mentioned in 1 Peter, Psalm and Matthew are the three that captured my heart when I got saved, besides “I will never leave the now forsake thee”
Jesus must have known what a battle would ensue for me to surrender my cares and burdens.
As always, thank you for writing a blessed devotional, Shelly.
Shelly thank you so much for sharing your heart. Surrendering is the hardest thing.
In my 35 years with the Lord, I have grown, served Him, led Youth Groups, and Women’s Bible Studies. My walk with Him is amazing….except 1 thing….I am an exceptional worrier! I am not proud to say it, and He has never f
He has never failed me. Ever.