I Surrender…
Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash
Good morning, sweet friend!
Today is Monday, and it is a new day and a new week!
I know it is back to school for many of us, kids and parents.
Some love getting on a routine, others not so much.
Routines are so good for my soul.
I love a calendar with to-do’s, and I love checking things off.
When we became empty nesters a couple of years ago, I had to really pray about this new season.
Being a stay at home mom for so long, my routine completely revolved around my children.
When they both left the nest, it was a weird feeling. I felt out of sorts and very much without purpose.
It took a while for me to adapt to this new place.
I really had no hobbies and I had no idea what I really liked to do. Ha!
It was all about my children’s lives and hobbies for 23 years!
To be very honest, it has been a difficult transition at times.
A lot of tears, a lot of praying, and a lot of “searching” for God’s purpose for me in this season.
Prayer has been one of those purposes.
When the house is empty, just me and the dog, the back porch beckons me to sit outside and pray.
I mean, I always prayed, but something major shifted in my prayer life once those kids were not here anymore.
Desperation for purpose drew me so close to the feet of Jesus.
During these times of prayer, I have found such a filling…such purpose.
It is truly indescribable how prayer works!
It can feel so odd, to just sit and talk with our Father.
It can feel so….pointless at times, if I am honest.
Our culture wants to convince us that we should be performing, doing, and constantly buzzing with activity.
Yet, God’s Kingdom is upside down.
Yes, we should be serving, loving, and looking out for the needs of others…
But, we cannot do any of that apart from Christ.
Unless He fills us, we cannot pour out.
Jesus tells us in John 15:5…
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Let me tell you from experience, this is TRUE.
The more I control, manipulate outcomes, and try to make the plans, the more I feel absolutely miserable and lacking peace.
I am learning to surrender.
It has not been easy.
In fact, just recently, I had to confess in my prayer journal, and out loud, my desire to control things.
I also confessed not trusting HIM and trusting in my own plans better.
It is a tale as old as time.
Adam and Eve, in the garden, thinking they were on the brink of discovering something HUGE and a better life for them once they ate off of that tree.
They trusted in themselves, instead of God’s perfect and beautiful plan for their lives.
We know how that story goes…not good.
The more we surrender, the more God is able to work in our lives and the lives of those we love.
It is a crazy thing, but it is just true!
Often, I have to just write it all out in my prayer journal…
I SURRENDER THESE THINGS TO YOU, JESUS…
So simple, but oh goodness, it sure sets my heart free.
We have trust issues, all of us.
We have been disappointed when things do not go the way we planned.
I know, I have been here many times.
We feel let down.
Our faith is many times hinging on a circumstance, instead of hinging on God.
We want to SEE THE FRUIT, then, we will have more faith.
God’s Word says, “Walk by faith and not by sight…” 2 Corinthians 5:7
We are cynical, oh so cynical.
Our child like faith has left the building…many years ago.
We desire answer to prayer, but we won’t believe until we SEE the fruit.
We won’t trust Him, until He can prove Himself to be trustworthy to us.
So, we live in miserable, cynical, doubting lives.
Yes, we still believe in Jesus… our salvation is secure.
However, often, we don’t believe that He is truly “working all things out for our good.”
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
I invite you on a journey of prayer, surrender, and returning to child-like faith.
Trusting in His plan, purposes, and seasons of our lives…even when we do not understand.
Surrendering feels like defeat in our culture.
“never give up!”
“don’t be a quitter!”
“try harder!”
God’s Kingdom says…
“Surrender…”
“Let go…”
“Lay it down…”
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
There is freedom in surrender.
There is peace in surrender.
There is purpose in surrender.
Listen, we may have to surrender all day and every day. It does not come easy to our human make-up.
Our culture is loud, demanding, and influential.
Let’s listen to the Voice of the One who created everything…
Let’s listen to the Voice of God over any other voice.
It will take intention.
It will take time.
It will take surrender.
But, if you want peace, true peace…
He is the ONLY way.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
laying it all down,
jill
