Surrender

“If you make a compromise with surrender, you can remain interested in the abundant life, all the riches of freedom, love, and peace, but it is the same as looking at a display in a shop window. You look through the window but do not go in and buy. You will not pay the price – Surrender”

– E. Stanley Jones.

“I lift my hands just as I am, I’m letting go of false control
I lift my voice, I have no choice
My life is Yours, use me for Your fame.”

– Rush of Fools (Fame Lyrics)

I need to stop trying to hold on. Let go of this idea that is really ‘false control’. Stop thinking I actually have any power over what is happening. In those weak times, that is when I become dependent on him.

It is so important to remember to take time out and remember who God is. I’ve had some hectic assignments due in the last few days and I have felt so lost and helpless. All that kept me sane was my daily trip to the beach. I got some exercise to take the edge of unusual anxiety off, but most of all, I saw that the world kept spinning round. Life goes on and it is bigger than our tight-knit list of priorities. People were laughing and smiling. The sun was glowing glorious hues as it bid goodbye for the evening.

I had this thought that I needed to do the absolute best that I could at Uni to bring glory and honour to God. I was all wrapped up in doing well and scared of failing in case I let him down. When I took time out and saw the crescent-shaped beach, the waves brushing against the shore, the cumulus clouds radiating vibrant colour and the rays bursting forth from the heavens, I realised that God doesn’t need me to bring glory to himself. He has invited me to, but God’s image shall never be tainted and his glory will forever be shone.  I had to let go of the idea that God’s glory was all in my hands.  Only then, could I truly reflect the King of Peace.

I felt so much better for surrendering. I know it is only the beginning. I am very strong-willed, controlling and bossy, often causing me to get agitated and aggressive.  I know I need to exchange these things for the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) but I am aware that as long as I realise this and do nothing about it, I am merely window shopping.

I need to lay the cards down on the table.

Surrender.

. . .

“Be still, and know that I am God”

-Psalm 46:10

(YOU ARE) The Light Of The World!

“Is Jesus your guest only in a little attic room? Then nobody knows He is there. His strength to protect you in the other rooms is lost. Throw open all the doors!”

-Corrie Ten Boom

My desire is to proclaim Christ. To make Him known. To share his love with everyone that I can.  It might mean striking up conversation with the person waiting next to you at the bus stop. It could be as simple as taking an interest in the life of the person sitting next to you on the bus. It might mean saying a simple ‘thank you’ to the bus driver as you get off the bus. Everywhere we go; there is an opportunity to shine God’s light. To take a step and put ourselves out there and be the odd one out. People will notice the difference.

In loving others as representatives of Christ, we ought to be proud advocates of his love.

I absolutely love the verse in Matthew 5 where we are told that we are the light of the world. Here, Jesus didn’t say, ‘I am the light of the world’, he said, “YOU”. You, my friend are called to shine God’s light. Not to keep his light in your room, but to shine it bright into the darkness. I love that we are told that we are not to keep God a secret. We are not allowed to hide his light. Our love for God should be totally public. We ought to be so on fire that we cannot hide it. 

Today I had my very first day of University. I was scared. There are so many people bigger than me, older than me, smarter than me, wiser than me and braver than me.  At first I felt afraid.  The Atheists unite and debate their views, the Queers display their opinions visually, the Muslims wear their headdress and here I was: plain, little me. I know I have a light but I wondered how much light I could really shine. I felt afraid that my flame might be smothered. That intellectuals would outsmart me. I felt afraid that I would not have all the answers. I felt afraid of facing true opposition and feeling incredibly out numbered. I was dreading my first day of Uni.

At this point I was reminded that ‘If our God is for us, then who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). We have an almighty God on my side! We need not be afraid, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name. Through God, we are more than conquerors.

Remembering God’s truths gave me the courage to stand up and be brave. To reach out to others and to shine his light. I stood out. My confidence outweighed that of any other. It wasn’t me. It was Christ shining his light through me, into the darkness.

God wants to use us. He has chosen us. He has blessed us and loved us, not so that we might secretly treasure it but so that we might share it with others. As we share his love, we feel it more intensely ourselves.

So I encourage you to be brave. Be bold. Read the word and do what it says. Make your life a light that reflects God to those in the darkness around you. You won’t be able to hold back the smile on your face or the spring in your step!

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

-Matthew 5:14-16 (The MSG)