I do not like to surrender; I am too competitive for that action. I will keep going and keep grinding until I am worn out. I will keep advancing and moving no matter how bad I am losing. Based on my personality type, I am not one who surrenders well or willingly. That hasn’t always been the case in my life. For much of my childhood and young adult life, I was too afraid to even try, always believing before the “match” began that I was going to lose anyway, so why even try. I wanted to win and I wanted to be competitive, but my lack of self confidence and belief in my abilities kept me from pursuing my dreams and goals.
As I walk along on my journey of faith, an adventure to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus in every aspect of my life, I have come to the realization that surrender is part of the transformation process. The Holy Spirit is working on me to have a servant’s heart and to not be afraid to suffer for the cause of Jesus. I am learning to wave the “white flag” of surrender in order to grow stronger in my love for Jesus and for the “others” (neighbors) He has called me to love in His name.
When you search for the word “surrender” in the Bible, there are not many bible verses that show up, especially in the New Testament. Most of the scripture references have to do with war or Israel surrender to God or their enemies because of God’s anger at their disobedience. And yet, it is a heart of surrender and a willingness to wait on the Lord that is at the heart of the good news message of Jesus.
As I read these two verses from Matthew 7 again today in my quiet time with God, I heard the voice of God’s Spirit say to me… asking, seeking and knocking are all about surrender! Asking for help; seeking wisdom or a new path to take; knocking over and over until an answer comes your way… these are all actions that involve surrender.
In order to get help, you first must be willing to ask…
To gain wisdom, insight and new direction, you must commit to using your time to seek and humbly realize you don’t have all the answers or the know-how to get from point A to point B.
When choosing to knock on a door and discover who or what is behind that door, you have to make the first move by lowering your pride and letting go of your fears; walk up the steps and onto the porch and knock!
Don’t be afraid to make this a “white flag day”; surrender your thoughts, feelings and fears to the ONE who created you to ask, seek and knock. Be patient; things are happening. God is listening and is waiting for the right time to open the door for you so that you can be in the right frame of mind, body, heart and soul to receive what He is going to give you. There is victory in the surrender!
Find comfort in these truths from Jesus today… “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Jesus
(Matthew 7:7, 8)
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