The tenor of this past week’s sermon application was that of surrender. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel’s news of her being chosen to be filled with the Spirit to bear the Messiah was one of surrender—sure, she had some logistical questions, but her heart was trusting, believing, desiring to see God’s work accomplished in her life. On the heels of that message, I thought I’d candidly express a few personal reflections on surrender in my life currently.
When I think about the issue of surrender before the Lord, I think of related topics like faith in God’s plans over me, trust that He’ll get me through hard times, and hope in the big-picture-plan-of-God of which I know I’m just a part. Some verses that encourage me in this are:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Therefore, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2Peter 1:5-11
As Christ followers, our journey on this earth is wrought with the need for faith, surrender, perseverance, and godly action based thereon. Lately for me this calling has taken two primary forms which I must repeatedly put on the altar of surrender.
The first is the coming of Baby Byers #3. As I’m sure any mom or dad can attest, parenting is a unique tool of God to expose areas that need refining in holiness. Little else in life can simultaneously expose our self-centeredness, our lack of patience (esp. when tired), our shortsightedness, our lack of relying wholly on the Spirit, etc. I often find myself struck by the mystery of how this raging battle can open us up to the painful refining fire of sanctification and at the same time fill us with such joy and pleasure at seeing what God is growing in these little lives. I don’t know how having a third child (two in diapers) will affect things like my relationship with Carrie, my productivity at work, and numerous other things. But one thing that I keep coming to . . . I KNOW that if I can remain surrendered in faith to the Lord, one way or another, “all these things will be added” to me.
The second big area of surrender is the work and fruit at C!C. As Carrie and I await the approval of our renewed work permits, I am often faced with the difficulty of evaluating questions like: “What are the next steps for C!C?” “Where is the fruit of our labour?” “What would happen if You called us somewhere else?” I love being a part of C!C, and I have such an excitement and a desire to see God grow our community and ministry. And so all I can do to answer some of the looming questions that don’t always have answers is offer them up to the Lord in surrender. In faith I place my trust in the fact that He has promised good over me and over His church. So I strive to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23.
What is an acute area of surrender for you? Let us hold on, for He is faithful.