Experiencing God in Surrender
“May you die to your own desires, and live eternally to mine (Jesus’)”
Thomas a Kempis
Our surrender is extremely difficult, yet fundamental to growing in Christian maturity. Surrender involves movement: turning away from the world’s and its values, and turning towards the Kingdom of God and God’s values. It’s turning away from a worldview centered on me and my priorities, and turning towards Christ to become like Him. It’s letting go of my pride and self-focus, and looking to the Spirit to replace those with humility, gratitude, and love.
Surrender also requires trust in God’s faithfulness. It involves learning that I am incapable of doing any of this on my own-even surrendering. Only God can take me down this path. Slowly my heart matures, so that my desire for God and my relationship with Him motivates all else and leads me to relinquish control.
Surrender is to learn to carry the cross of radical love and radical service. Yes, to help in the reconciliation of the world, or my small corner of the world, and to build the Kingdom of God, a journey of “disciplined grace” lived out in the world. Disciplined because I must open myself to the work of the Spirit; Grace because that change is only and completely a supernatural work of God.
It is putting all the pieces of my life on the table and trusting God to arrange them to fit His Will.
34 If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage seem to stand out for you?
What might you fear in surrendering your life to Christ?
Can you trust God with your surrender?
In which areas of your life might you start small” to diminish your focus on your concerns and expand Jesus’ concerns?
Prayer
Our All-loving God. You care for every part of my being. Help me to surrender the inmost, the deepest, part of my reality to you and your loving care. To Jesus and his Kingdom. Show me in the midst of the busyness and trials of each day those ways in which I can begin to decrease and You can increase.
1 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship, 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
What words in this passage seem to stand out for you?
Think of a way in which you are conformed to the world’s values. How might Jesus call you to sacrifice that conformity, and what freedom might come from that release?
Where does your own mind need this renewing of which Paul speaks? How might you go about the renewing of your mind?
Prayer
O Holy and Eternal One, I need your strength and your guidance in surrendering my life to you. Show me the ways in which I have become conformed to the world. Help me to open all the rooms of my heart to your indwelling, so that I might become more like you.
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?” 13 You call me Teacher and Lord- and you are right for that is what I am. 14 So if I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
What words in this passage seem to stand out for you?
What is the example Jesus has set with the disciples as he tenderly washes their feet and looks into their eyes?
Is it as hard for you as it was for Peter that night?
How might you respond to Jesus if you were one of those sitting at the table with them?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Thank you for loving me so deeply and completely. Thank you for being willing to suffer and die for me that I might live with you. Give me eyes to see the world as you would, and learn to serve as you would. Help me to wash the feet of my neighbor, and pour your love through me so that I might love even my enemy.
41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. 42 Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
What words in this passage seem to stand out for you.
How might you live “Thy will be done” each day?As you pray that prayer, what might God be asking you to do?
What would happen, over the next week, if you were to respond “As you wish” to each request of those close to you?
Prayer
Good and Gracious God. Search me and know my heart. Test me and know my inmost thoughts. Guide me in the way of your Spirit. Give me the strength and clarity to respond with all my heart – “Thy will be done” – in each room of my life.
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN
What words in this passage seem to stand out for you?
What does it mean to you to be “crucified with Christ” as Paul says it?
Jesus led a “Cross Life”, a life of radical obedience, service, justice, and love. What might that look like for you – living right where you live each day?
What next step, no matter how small, could you take in living this “Cross Life” of Jesus? And, the step after that?
Prayer
Great and Loving Father, thank you for loving me. It’s overwhelming to think that you love me so much that you would die on that cross so I can be with you for eternity. Help me to throw open the doors of my heart to you, to receive your mercy and grace. May the world see only your light and love shining through me. And, may I dwell in your house forever.