Have you ever asked God for a certain thing but when He answered, the outcome wasn’t quite what you wanted? Sometimes He answers in an unexpected way. Sometimes He answers in an undesired way. But you cannot deny that it is indeed His answer. Yeah… that feeling right there. Did you feel it? Can you relate?
I’ve felt this feeling many times. I said I wanted His will to be done, but what I really wanted was His will MY way. I know. Exactly how did I possibly think that was going to work out? Honestly, it's not like He ever promised to give me what I had in mind anyway.
If you have any genuine experience following Jesus Christ, you already know this is NOT how He rolls at all. Now this is the point where you have an opportunity for promotion.
I see you scratching your head at this word “promotion.” But yes, promotion. Leveling up in ways you probably hadn’t anticipated. But here’s the thing - the prerequisite for this divine promotion can only come through surrender. Surrendering your agenda, your plans, your dreams, your previous beliefs, your motives, popular opinion and faulty assumptions. In essence, your whole will, Sis!
It is at the point of surrender that you become a clean slate, ready for the Author and Finisher of your faith to write His plan on your heart. At first, it’s going to feel strange, unnatural, and unbalanced. It will cost you some relationships and your reputation. It will mess with your bottom line. It will challenge your theology. It will feel like you’re dying. And guess what? YOU are. The you that tends to edge Jesus off of the throne of your life whenever His will challenges whatever you deem right, just, normal or proper.
Trust me. He aims to challenge everything you think you know about Him so that He can reveal to you who He really is. When this starts to happen -- let it. It’s the only way you’ll learn to separate truth from tradition. Remember, Jesus said that it is the TRUTH that will set you free. And isn’t that what you really want anyway? To be free? Free to realize and become who God created you to be.
Let me tell you, the day I stopped digging in my heels in protest and I began to allow God to reveal Himself to me in His own way, my soul began to settle. I grew in courage and began to use His words and my voice to chase away doubt and unbelief. Fear is decreasing, faith is increasing, and my hope is resurrected.
If you find yourself struggling with the way the Lord is moving in your life, I hope you’ll take the plunge and find out what’s on the other side of your surrender.
Peace to you...
