June 26, 2013

• The Choice to Surrender

  “Your will be done.” Those words are part of what we call The Lord’s Prayer. They are also words Jesus Himself said in the garden of Gethsemane when He prepared to suffer for us. Strong words. Sometimes, hard words. We know we are supposed to want God’s will, and saying “Your will be done” sounds so holy, doesn’t it? I have heard it used so “religiously” and falsely.

  Personally, it can be a difficult prayer for me. There are times when it is looking very much like His will is not going to be something I will like – when I see a big hit coming to my pride.  There are times when I know God’s will being done is going to cost a price I would rather not pay. To be honest, in the process of agreeing to God’s will there is often that silly time when I try to make a deal with Him for something a little more favorable to me -- something a little easier on my flesh. SIGH.......

  You know, God is not shocked by our honesty. He made us. He knows we struggle. He observes our tendency to put self first. I am quite sure He would rather have us admit that we are struggling then for us to try to impress Him with our “spiritualness.” I have to admit I have told God a time or two, “I DON’T WANNA!”

  Yes, I have said no to God. On those occasions the feeling that comes after I have done that is not a nice feeling at all. You see, I love God. I really do. I want to please Him. I know His way is the best way. But knowing all that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. Knowing it doesn’t mean I am always in a perfect place of complete surrender to His will. I do not want to live a mediocre life. I can look around and see Christians who never once have surrendered to the scary, wonderful process of being stretched and shaped by the will of God. Yeah, I suppose they will go to Heaven, but what have they really done for God? What difference have they made in their world?

  It concerns me that their influence is more negative than positive. It concerns me that they may become like those mentioned in the book of Jude, “They are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.” (Jude 1:18) Be careful not to be influenced by these kinds of people. I do not choose that way.

  So, I will have my struggles. And I will surrender as often as I can. I am comforted as I read
  through the Bible and see that many of the heroes of the faith struggled too. They goofed up sometimes. They had to suffer the consequences of wrong choices just like the rest of us. It’s a process.We learn to trust His love. We learn there is a higher purpose to living than just satisfying ourselves. And once we have learned that, we can be truly useful to God. We can fulfill His purposes. See, if we say no, He will find someone else to use. But, we will miss out on the chance to be a part of something incredible.

  The place that we need to come to is the place Mary came to when she was confronted by God’s angel and informed she was the one chosen to bear the Messiah. She had a few questions, and the angel explained things. Still, I would imagine it was all quite a shock! Yet, she said, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." (Luke 1:38)

  Be that kind of Christian.

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