The Missing Key: Surrender

 

Spiritual growth.


Why do some people seem to excel in their relationship with God while others appear to be stuck in bondage to certain sins, have difficulty praying, struggle to consistently read the Bible, and have little interest in studying Christian resources?


I think it is a matter of surrender to God; surrendering your wants, goals, desires, dreams, and really all that you are to Him, asking that He would incline your heart to Him at all times, bring about the right people, situations, and circumstances so you can grow in character and learn more about Him through trials and in the community of fellowship with other believers, and ask God to reveal Himself to you in a way you could never deny.


If we are unwilling to commit all that we are, all that we own, and our past, present, and future to the Lord, asking Him to do whatever it takes to give us hearts that truly long for Him and continually grow in our relationship with Him, then we will find it difficult to make great strides in our spiritual growth.


The strongest Christians you will ever know are ones who have acknowledged their need for God (or been truthful with Him in prayer admitting their disinterest or lack of faith, etc. while asking God to give them willing hearts toward Him), and have given God full Lordship of their lives; praying that He would do in and through them what only He is capable of, as such as will bring glory, honor, and praise to His name and will lead others to know Him, even by your example alone and the transformation God brings to you when you daily seek after Him.


Too often, when we keep back any area of our lives from the Lord, we seem to be stagnant in our walk with Him and can't figure out why. Maybe we are upset because we feel as though despite our many prayers, God isn't answering. Or possibly we believe that following Christ doesn't require that He become the Lord of our lives in everything, but instead we selfishly or unknowingly believe that being the Captain of our own lives, or as Timothy Keller has wisely called it, being a "Sovereign Self", won't carry us very far now that we are serving the true and living God.


It really comes down to surrender. Giving up our rights. Trusting God with every aspect of our lives; past, present, and future. Asking that His will would prevail in everything. And praying for a heart that is fully His.


Yes, sanctification and growth is a process (just like a baby doesn't become an adolescent overnight but goes through the aging process), but let us joyfully realize and apply what Jim George has said, "God will take you as far as you want to go, as fast as you want to go."


Just trust Him. With your future. With your past. And even in the midst of any craziness currently going on in your life. (please pray the same for me!)

Song lyrics:

  

You hold the future in Your hands

You know my dreams and You have a plan

And as You light my way I'll follow You

 

 

Here at Your feet, I lay my future down

All of my dreams, I give to You now

And I find peace, I find peace