3 Points to Ponder
- For many, surrender is worse than a 4-letter swear word, as it signals defeat. But, it can also mean giving oneself up to the power of another. When surrendering yourself to God, this is not settling for a “less than life” – it is a life of freedom and peace. At the same time, it is a continuous journey done daily. What does it mean to make surrendering a daily decision, and how can you practice this in your own life?
- Focus on obedience and not on outcomes. This is where a false sense of control can deceive. Where does your mindset need to shift?
- When we put ourselves at the center of everything, our lives become broken. When we put God at the center, our lives reflect blessings. What is one thing you could do this week to reflect blessing?
2 Quotes to Share
“Oftentimes, the more we surrender to God, the greater our ability to see his hand in our life.” – Dr. Charles Stanley
“God will only multiply the given, empower the surrendered, fill the empty, exalt the humbled and guide the obedient.” – David Diga Hernandez
1 Story of Impact
Sweat streamed down our faces in the humid Haitian hospital hallway as Catie Ruefer and I poured our hearts into the song “I Surrender All”, singing for the patients and caregivers staying there to share some hope. Just two and a half years earlier, I had met Catie for the first time and ended up throwing her in a murky Central College pond (THAT is a story for another day). I later asked her to join me on a mission trip, one year away from our marriage date, and this song was becoming our anthem as we sang in English and voices joined in Creole. In an amazing foreshadowing of what was to come, God was weaving Haiti into the fabric of our love story, a promising future beyond our wildest dreams. There is no stronger bond this side of Heaven than two souls surrendering to Jesus, allowing Him to take what was once two people and form them into one. Catie and I included “I Surrender All” in our wedding ceremony as a reminder of our commitment to each other and Jesus. Surrender is not a one-time decision, but rather, it is a daily decision done again, and again and… well, you get it. It’s a journey we can’t navigate alone; that’s by design. We’re meant to recognize our need for a Savior. Only then can we truly embrace a life of impact. When you are done with yourself, God moves. Why? Because if God spoke in your striving, it only reaffirms your flesh, and that this is about you. But, when you surrender your control, God will reveal who you are in Christ. And that brings life, life to the fullest.
