SURRENDER

If you’re a regular follower of my blog, I’m assuming you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and have asked Him to forgive you of your sins.  You’ve received His free gift of salvation and thanked Him for dying in your place on the cross of Calvary.  Just as God raised Him from the dead and He now lives in heaven with God the Father, you know you’ll one day live in heaven as well when you die and pass on from this life to the next. In addition, you have the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus) living inside of you.  If you’re a believer in Jesus, then the Holy Spirit literally resides in you. 

But what about the next step?

Have you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? 

Right about now you might be saying, “What, Laura?”

You have your “ticket” to heaven, so to speak.  You know when you die, you’ll be spending eternity with God and Jesus. 

But, how are you living your life NOW?

Are you living for the world – or for God?

Is your goal to strive for intimacy with God, the Father?  Is your goal to look to Him and ask what HE wants of your life?  Or are you just content to live your life as YOU see fit?        

Have you SURRENDERED all your rights to King Jesus and said, “God and Jesus, I want YOU to control ALL my decisions.  I look to YOU to guide me and direct my path.  I trust YOU; I know YOUR WAY is better than mine.”  Have you prayed that?  Lived it?

There’s a huge chasm between Jesus being your Savior and Jesus being your LORD.

I was a little girl when I asked Jesus to come into my heart and life.  Oh, I was happy and had a wonderful family, but I knew something was missing in my life.  It was HIM.  He made THE difference.  There’s no doubt that Jesus came in.  He took up residency within me.

But equally as memorable, I distinctly recall when I was in college and realized I needed to surrender MY rights and ask God to be the captain of my ship. It was an intentional decision and deliberate prayer on my part.  I felt as if I was jumping off a cliff in a good way.  It was scary, thrilling and freeing all at the same time.  But I remember His peace that passes all understanding washing over me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 became my mantra and still is my life’s verse.  Why?  Because it sums up HOW you and I are supposed to live.  Not dependent on our own strength or logic, but on the God of the Universe. 

Here is the verse in various translations:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”  NIV

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”  MSG

I love the verse in The Message as this version gets the meaning into language we totally get.  Are you listening to His voice?  Everywhere and in every circumstance?  Are you just trying to figure it out on your own?

During those important college years, Jesus became my Lord but also my best friend.  I learned that HE was the ONLY one who could truly satisfy my soul.  “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  Psalm 63.   Until I truly put Him first, no relationship was going to do it for me.

Jesus put in another way in Matthew 10:39 when He says to “find your life, you must lose it”.  Just as Jesus gave up His rights when He went to the cross and surrendered to God, the Father’s will, you and I must surrender to God as well.  Jesus set the example.  He doesn’t just want to save us from our sins (that’s huge and so freeing in and of itself), but He wants to be our Guide, our Counselor, our Purpose for being.  If we’re doing life on our own terms, that doesn’t line up with what being a disciple of Jesus is all about.

Not only that, but Jesus calls us to turn from the world…to be IN the world, but not OF the world.  That’s part of the surrendering process as well.

In I John 2:15-17 Jesus instructs us with some powerful words.  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father in not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

The first thought that comes to mind to exemplify what I’m talking about as far as surrender is the disciples.  All 12 of them gave up families, friends, careers and left their homes to follow Jesus.  Obviously, what happened to these 12 men was extreme. 

But what Jesus calls us to do, as He did with his disciples, is just to trust Him – trust that His way is better than our own. That, my friend, is extreme.  But what God did in giving up His Only Son on our behalf was extreme.  What Jesus did when He endured the wrath on the cross (and all the agony prior) was extreme!  That kind of love, sacrifice and dying to self, demands something in return!

In my view of things, that means to pray about every decision, every goal, every dream and see if it lines up with HIS PLAN for our life.  And to be obedient.  If we truly love God/Jesus, then we will obey (John 14:15), even if His plan runs counter to our own or doesn’t make sense. 

Let me give you a few examples.  This past weekend, I attended an inspirational women’s event at my church.  Melinda, the speaker, shared with us that she and her husband of numerous years had been going through many struggles.  They had been working through their differences and difficulties, but one day, he just gave up and walked out.   She was devastated.  As she picked up the pieces of her life, she cried out to God – for herself and her children.  Shortly after her hubby left, she was praying for God to give her direction and guidance.  She got away with some girlfriends for a weekend trip.  A few of the friends were co-workers.  As a matter of encouragement, knowing what she was going through, they had “spilled the beans” and blurted out a huge surprise that her boss was going to offer her a full-time position, allow her to be part of the 401K plan and provide her with better benefits. You would think Melinda would be jumping up and down; she was now a single mother raising two children and God had provided!  She would be moving from being a part-time employee to a full-time employee with countless benefits!   This news was incredible, coming on the heels of her divorce. It was obvious her boss was being so supportive and generous.  But even before she heard this news from her co-workers, God had already told her to decrease her hours. She was conflicted and in turmoil.

Needless to say, she agonized in prayer and sought God’s will again.  She went to the Lord repeatedly, making sure she had heard correctly.  After all, she was a scared single mom, raising two kids, without a husband.  She needed MORE income and MORE stability.

When she returned home and went to work that Monday, sure enough, her boss immediately called her in and presented this very generous offer.  Not only that, but the boss was verbally encouraging and offered her support in this difficult time and expressed openly to Melinda how she hoped this tangible package would help.

Melinda was shaking as she was so nervous.  Of course, she knew it was a generous and wonderful offer.  She was humbled by her boss’ compassion and benevolence.  And she didn’t want to come across as an ungrateful employee. 

What did she do?  She listened and obeyed God.  It wasn’t easy, but she asked her boss for a DECREASE in her hours.

Needless to say, her boss was stunned and somewhat speechless. 

And the boss did revisit her deal and offer her a plan with decreased hours, just as God had advised her.

Melinda didn’t really share “the rest of the story” except to say that God birthed a ministry in the next few years.  She had women over to her house and God’s Hand was so in that.  It helped her heal, built a support system, but it also built a ministry for other women who were going through similar circumstances.

Fast forward to today…her first husband that left and divorced her passed away.  He had cancer, and she was actually one of his caregivers and became friends with him. She remarried and is currently a nationally known speaker.

But, pause for a minute.  What would YOU have done if you have been in Melinda’s shoes?  Just gone by logic and instinct and what YOU thought was best or trusted the God of the Universe that gave up His best when He sent Jesus?  I asked myself that question during the time she shared and afterwards.

Fear can overtake us.  Fear can cause us to be paralyzed.  Or fear can cause us to panic and be impulsive. 

Are you living life out of fear or having fearless faith?

That’s just one story of how following God doesn’t always make sense to the world or even us as believers.

There have been numerous times in my life when following God didn’t always make sense.  One such time was when I was about to graduate from college and was looking for a job. 

I was doing my student teaching in Milledgeville, GA, where I attended college.  I was on track to graduate in May.  During my spring break in March, I went home and spent several days interviewing at 5 different elementary schools in my home county.  I had prayed and asked God to make His will very evident.  When I went to the last school, Mt. Zion Elementary, I opened the door and walked in. There was a sign painted on the wall to my left in big bold blue letters.  It simply read, “Parents Welcome Here”.  As I turned to read that sign, the Lord spoke to me and said, “This is where I want you to be.” There was no doubt in my mind; I had heard HIS voice.  It was a HUGE confirmation, and I was thanking the Lord as I walked in to the office to begin my interview.

This school would be my last interview. As with any interview, I was nervous.  In addition, the principal was a big presence, 6’ 4” tall and had a deep, gruff voice.  He was personable and friendly, but to say he could be slightly intimidating would be a huge understatement.  Even so, since the Lord had spoken to me about THIS SCHOOL being the one, that word from Him gave me great confidence and assurance.  But at the end of the interview, Mr. McLeod, the principal, said, “I’d love to hire you, but I have no openings at this time.”  Of course, he told me contracts hadn’t been signed yet and various other things. He also added that he had very little turnover at his school.  I thanked him, shook his hand and left.

As I walked to my car, I remember thanking God for helping me during the process and also speaking to me so clearly that this school was where he wanted me to teach.  But also, I was discouraged as I wanted to know NOW that I had a job lined up for the new school year.  And it didn’t look too promising, based on Mr. McLeod’s comments about minimal turnover.

But, here’s what I also knew.  I wasn’t to keep pursuing a job.  God had told me very plainly what His will was.

In addition, as I relayed this story to my parents, my mom caught his last name.  My mom realized that she had worked with Mr. McLeod’s wife at Delta Air Lines several years prior.  She wanted to reach out to Louise, his wife, and put in a good word for me.  But I wouldn’t let her.  As much as I wanted the job, I wanted to get it on my own merits…not because mom knew someone.  So, Mom honored my wishes and didn’t contact her.

I went back to college and continued with my student teaching.  I put my future career in His Hands.  During that interim period, I had two other job offers, one in my home county and one in a neighboring county where I had interviewed months prior.  I turned both of these offers down.  Some would think that decision was foolish.  But God had made it clear where he wanted me to be; I had to trust and wait on Him.

Needless to say, the WAITING was the most difficult part.

One day in April, I was in the middle of instructing my 5^th graders when the office secretary interrupted and came over the loud speaker.  I had an emergency phone call in the office!!  Remember, I graduated college in 1984 so there were no cell phones back then!  I ran to the office as fast as I could with every awful and horrible scenario racing through my head of some tragic event in my family!

As I picked up the phone, I heard a deep and gruff voice on the other end.  “Miss Watson, this is George McLeod at Mt. Zion Elementary.  I have a 4^th grade and 6^th grade position open.  Which one do you want?”  I was flabbergasted!!  Speechless!  It took me a minute to regain my composure.  I finally responded and said, “6^th” and did manage to get out “thank you for the call and the job”.  The rest is a blur.

I was overjoyed!!  God had been faithful to make His will evident, but He had followed through in the details. 

I did start teaching in the fall at Mt. Zion Elementary.  Side note – Mr. McLeod gave me 4^th grade vs. 6^th.  His decision was a blessing in disguise.  I think those 6^th graders would’ve eaten me alive as a new 21-year old fresh out of college!  But I digress.

My point:  By following, listening and WAITING on God, He orchestrated it all to work for my good.  He opened the door for the job; I asked Him to lead, guide and direct.  He did that and more!  I had the peace of knowing I would be working where HE wanted me to be.  That is truly the best job satisfaction!

There are many other stories I could relay of how God’s plan is always best.  And trusting your own logic, or that of others, is not what is wise.

I could share many other scenarios of how God proved to me that His way is best vs. my own logic.  My story just happens to be job-related in this case, as Melinda’s was. 

At 61 years of age, I can look back over my life and it’s so evident when I surrendered and followed God’s plan, the details and events just lined up and went smoother.  When I didn’t and tried to do it MY way, I made a mess of things.  I can’t help but think of Jonah in the Bible.  His running from God went from bad to worse.  When he finally relinquished control, God used him mightily to draw others to the Lord and Jonah eventually had peace.

How about you?  Have you surrendered?

Tune in again on this same “channel” for more on surrender.  Until then, I’m praying for YOU!

  I plan on eventually sharing the story of how Norman (my hubby) and I came together.  It’s definitely a God-story.  But part of our saga is that I waited for over 2 years for him to ask me out on a date.  Family, close friends and even acquaintances that knew I liked him kept encouraging me and begging me to ask him out on a date.  But as I prayed, I knew this strategy wasn’t what God wanted me to do.  It was excruciating.  But I waited.  I waited on God’s timing, and it paid off.  Psalm 27:14 ***  We’ve been married for 34 years and been together for over 35.  Norman still claims that if I had pursued him and asked him out, it would’ve messed everything up!

One last story, and I’ll move on.  I was teaching, living at home with my parents and involved at my local church.  I was in my late 20s and kept   having reoccurring dreams of black babies and children.  At the time, I was a school teacher, instructing in a predominantly white area.  I couldn’t figure out why I kept having these dreams.  Out of the blue, a dear friend from college contacted me and said God had put me on her heart.  She was headed to Liberia, West Africa with her pastor, his wife and a team from across GA and wanted to know if I’d be interested.  Needless to say, God made that abundantly clear to me as He had already prepared my heart.  I prayed, but His will was obvious.

But in the next few months of preparation for the trip (including planning of what we were to teach as well as 10 shots to go into the country, etc), God burdened my heart.  I felt He may be calling me into full-time mission work to Africa.  As I wrestled with this call, I was blessed that my former youth minister, Larry Lawrence, had come back to my home church to serve on staff again.  I spoke with Larry about this issue.  As always, Larry shed light on the situation.  He said, “Laura, God may or may not be calling you to Africa or elsewhere into full-time mission work.  But maybe He’s trying to test you and see if you’re willing.”  As I took those nuggets of wisdom and prayed, that’s exactly what God was doing.  He just wanted to get me to a point of surrender before I left.  A full-time call from Him never came.  But how He taught me on that mission trip that summer to West Africa was an experience that I carry with me to this day.  I learned from so many mentors about how to minister to others; I saw a full-time missionary, who was tired and weary, share Jesus with an 82-year old Muslim man in a village out in the bush…and saw that man transform when he came to know Jesus.   God used me to teach missionary kids as well as children in the bush, who had never seen crayons or didn’t even know what to do with a balloon! Most of all, He taught me that “apart from Him, I could not do anything”. 

I distinctly remember getting slightly homesick on that incredible trip, even though I was surrounded by loving and kind people. One day as I was missing my family and friends, I read Psalm 121 as I looked out at the mountains in West Africa “I lift my eyes to the hills.  Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.       “  God so spoke to me and drew me close as I gazed at the skyline of the mountains in the distance in West Africa.  I never read those verses without thinking back to that moment in time.

More than anything, God taught me to be used by Him, I needed to be surrendered to His will.  Life needed to be about trusting Him and looking to Him in all scenarios and situations.  It’s so easy to type, but difficult to live out.

I could share many other scenarios of how God proved to me that His way is best vs. my own logic.

At 61 years of age, I can look back over my life and it’s so evident when I surrendered and followed God’s plan, the details and events just lined up and went smoother.  When I didn’t and tried to do it MY way, I made a mess of things.  I can’t help but think of Jonah in the Bible.  His running from God went from bad to worse.  When he finally relinquished control, God used him mightily and Jonah eventually had peace.

Lately, God is showing me that it’s not in the BIG decisions of life that I need to surrender, but it’s in the everyday moments.  Do you know what I mean?

When I get up in the morning and immediately start in on a household chore or have MY OWN agenda instead of having time with Jesus first thing…reading my Bible, praying, etc.

When I hear His still, small voice whisper, “You need to write”, and I’m lazy or a disobedient child and watch that TV show or do something else.

When I’m in a restaurant or with a co-worker and know He’s calling me to speak up and witness or share some truth about Him and what He’s done in my life, it’s then He gives me a choice…to obey or be a disobedient child.

I may be cleaning a bathroom or preparing a dish in the kitchen when I hear Him say, “You need to stop and pray for ____”.

It’s in these slices of life that I have a choice:

Will I surrender MY rights and choose to obey the ONE who gave it ALL for me? 

Will I just ignore His promptings and carry on with what I think is best?

Lately, it’s all to real of a struggle.  I seem to fail more than I get it right.

Even today, I was reminded of Jesus’ words to his disciples right before he went to the cross.  In John 14, Jesus speaks words of comfort as he is trying to prepare his closest friends for his departure.  “I am going to a place where you can’t go

These loyal men had followed him everywhere so of course, they’re in shock.  They want to go – and don’t understand WHY they can’t follow.  But in this discourse he reminds them that he won’t leave them as orphans.

He’s explaining that he will go away and come back for them.  But in his absence, He will send an advocate.  The Holy Spirit will not just be a helper to them, as Jesus has been, but this third being of the Trinity will actually take up residence inside each of them.

Friend, if you’ve asked Jesus to be your Savior or Lord, then you have the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you.  Drumroll please.  The bottom line is…are you listening to His still, small voice — or are you doing life on your own terms?

I am reminded of this old hymn that we sang quite frequently when I was growing up.  The words are definitely fitting:

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

Friend, have you surrendered everything to Him?  Your plans?  Your dreams?  Your hopes?  Your career?  Your finances?  Your spouse?  Your family?

Is there one area where you’re struggling and wrestling to allow HIM control?  From my experience, He will definitely show you what that is.  As He wants ALL of you.

I’m beyond thankful to have the Holy Spirit living inside of me.  I WANT to be surrendered to His will.  I don’t want to do it MY way. 

I live you with one verse that should be our life’s mantra as well.  It’s my husband’s life verse, Galatians *****

I wish I could say that I ALWAYS heed his voice.  That’s not the case.  But I keep asking HIM to help me; I keep praying that I’ll improve in my obedience and “the Holy Spirit will increase, and I will decrease” (Matthew 

I’m thankful that He loves me, even when I am a disobedient or rebellious child.