Surrender is Stronger

One of the popular songs from the music group FFH is a song called “Undone”.  In the chorus there is a line that says “Surrender is stronger.”  For a long time, I sang along with the words but didn’t really understand what the singer/writer meant by the phrase.  I mean, don’t we generally look at surrender as a sign of weakness? 

Then one day as I was facing my own battles (of control) I had a conversation with God about needing to surrender my will to His.  It was then I realized just how hard surrendering can be.  I find it particularly hard to let go especially when I’m unclear on what God’s will is.  What if I don’t like the direction God wants to lead me?  Do I really trust Him not to let me down?  It sounds crazy to say but haven’t we all felt that way (even if we don’t verbalize it)?  We’d rather be in control of our chaos than to surrender to the One who can make order out of it.

Yes – depending on the situation surrender can be a sign of weakness.  For example, surrendering to the will of the “evil one” is actually pretty easy to do.  But surrendering to God takes an incredible amount of strength, faith and courage.  What it ultimately means is that we place God first and put ourselves squarely under his authority.  This is not to say He wants us to lose our individuality, our creative thinking or our individual drive.  He created us with unique gifts and wants us to continue to grow in them.  But there are times when our will comes into conflict with His.  These are the times when surrendering becomes toughest.  Surrendering to God means we finally understand we’re the creation and not the creator. 

The song goes on to say “I don’t need to be the hero tonight.”  Maybe there is a part in all of us that feels like we have to be the hero (whether it’s because we want the glory or because we’re afraid that if we don’t, nobody else will).  I think it’s easy to let God take the hero role with the overall picture of life.  But, the reality is the big picture is made up of everyday scenes where I’m trying to play the lead.  Yes – surrendering to God is stronger.  Not only is it harder to do, but it also makes us stronger by doing it.

I got the Blahs!

Ever have one of those days when you just feel “Blah”?  I’m having one of those days.  I’m not really sure why I feel this way but I find it quite annoying.  My goal was to get up this morning and hit the ground running.  Instead – I fell out and crawled.  Okay – not literally but you get the picture.  I tried caffeine.  That didn’t do the trick.  I tried pumping myself up with Christian music.  That didn’t work either.  I tried inspiring myself with online blogs and videos.  Nope.  Still nothing.  I feel like maybe a shot of adrenaline would be good right now.  I wonder how I can get me some of that?   
At any rate – the day is midway over and I’m attempting one more thing – writing.  It may be the thing that helps “Stella get her groove back”.  Productivity always seems to have a good affect on me.  And I suppose it should.  There’s something about the feeling of accomplishment that acts like a balm to the soul.  It’s much more rewarding to take steps forward (even if it’s only one step at a time) then to not move at all. 

 We’re hard-wired to be productive – to “bear fruit”.  A tree that does not bear fruit will eventually wither away and die. Likewise, when we are not productive – when we don’t bear fruit, a little part of us withers and dies.  That’s how I’ve been feeling today – like I’ve been withering.  It may sound redundant but “the more fruit we bear then the more fruit we’ll bear”. 

 Some days it’s harder than others to bear fruit but this is the promise we have from God in John 15, verse 4:  “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  So caffeine and adrenaline aren't my answer.  I will get my renewed strength and energy from the Lord.

 “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”.

Colossians 1:10

Blogvotional, Week 3, Day 5

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Romans 8:26

I’m generally not at loss for words when I’m praying. Sadly, when I’m alone in my quiet time with God I tend to ramble. I find my hidden inner-extrovert and talk God’s ear off. But there have been plenty of times when I’ve simply been at a loss for words. A situation needs praying for but I don’t know how. I don’t know what to say – or ask. Sometimes I’m afraid to say anything because I’m concerned my wants and desires will get in the way of what God knows is the true need. It’s those times I’m thankful someone much wiser – someone who knows God’s true desire is praying on my behalf. How wonderful to know that the Spirit is interceding on my behalf. I imagine Him changing the course of my prayers midstream by saying: “No, no. That’s not what you need. That’s a huge mistake. I’ll take it from here.” What a blessing to have such divine help!

Encouragement of the Day: Know that the Holy Spirit has your best interest at heart. He will never let you down. He’s always working to get your heart aligned with God’s plan.

Question of the Day: Have you ever felt the answer to your prayers were not what you thought you wanted but instead what you really needed?

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Blogvotionals: Week 3, Day 4

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers,

another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord

nor what He had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

If ever there was a verse that clearly indicates the importance of sharing our faith, it is Judges 2:10. This verse is astounding. How is it possible that the generation who had made it through the desert, crossed the Jordan River, and regained the Promised Land would not have shared these things with their children? Why would they not have told them about their great and powerful God? And yet the next generation “knew neither the Lord nor what He had done”? They went on to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. Either the previous generation didn’t want to talk about God or they assumed they didn’t have to – that maybe God would reveal Himself (much like He did to them).

We must talk about God. We must share our faith (in particular with our children). Not just what our faith is but why we have it. We must talk about God’s love because without love there can be no relationship. We can’t assume our children (or others) will somehow “pick up on it” by simply watching us. We talk about so many things. And yet sometimes we forget the most important topic of all.

Encouragement of the Day: Talk about God with your children. If you don’t have children, talk about God with a loved one. Let them see you pray. Talk about how God blesses you and why it is you try to please Him. Let them see your relationship with God. And nurture them into their own relationship with God.

Question of the Day: Who shared God with you? Can you imagine that not ever happening?

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Blogvotionals: Week 3, Day 3

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

There are many days I wonder if I’m heading in the right direction. Some days I just feel lost. Am I living the life God wants me to live? Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? Sometimes there is so much pressure (granted I put that pressure on myself) to have all the answers – to know where I’m going. But then I read this passage in Philippians. I am reminded that even if I take the wrong path on occasion (albeit with Godly intentions), I will still end up in the right spot. I don’t have to know whether path A or B is the best. It would be nice if I did but life doesn’t always work out that way. God doesn’t always reveal our each and every step. But I do know this. God began working in me and He will continue working in me until the end. He knows what He wants to accomplish through me and I'm confident He will see it through to completion.

Encouragement of the Day: Never think that you are failing in your “mission”. God knows your strengths and weaknesses. He can work through them to bring about His purpose.

Question of the Day: What do you do when you feel like you’re messing up your “mission”?

To read more or to make a comment click on http://buildingmyfaith-kg.blogspot.com/