"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

12.11.2009

Joyfull surrender



Why is it so hard to follow God's ways?? Why do I continually choose my way instead of his? Why do I struggle with the same sins over and over?? Do you ever ask these questions??

Here is what I am learning after so many years of striving in my own will to do God's will. "Willpower, determination and discipline are not enough in Christ-following. The close interconnection of will and desire means that if Christ is to have our will, he must first have my heart." "Learning to desire God's will is not something we can accomplish by resolve and willpower. It occurs only when we live so close to God's heart that the rhythm of our own heartbeat comes to reflect the divine pulse."

And, "Surrendering to God's will makes little sense if we are not first convinced of the depths of God's love for us. But surrender is far from complete and we have yet to unwrap the gift of our true-self-in-Christ until we are fully convinced of the absolute trustworthiness of God's will. Learning to prefer God's way to ours and discovering our identity and fulfillment in God's kingdom way demands that we know Love, deeply and personally. Only then will it be possible to choose God with the totality of our being, not just our will." "The problem is that when we approach the task of choosing anything other than our own self and its immediate gratification, most of us automatically turn to willpower and resolve. Choosing God then becomes more a matter of grim determination than joyful surrender - closer to deciding to cut back on eating enjoyable foods than to follow our heart to the Source of abundant life."

Words in quotations are from David Benner, Desiring God's Will

Do I, do we really believe God is good? That he has our best at heart? That his way is best? Or do I sometimes believe as Eve did, that God is holding out on me, keeping something good from me?? Do I trust him enough to surrender my way for his??
I could say, yes I do, but I know I am not totally there yet. As I come to know him more deeply, I am learning to trust more. My desire is to trust him with everything.

Advent reading for Friday: Psalm 1; Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19

LORD, you lead us in the way we should go. And it is a good way. As we draw near to you this season, may our hearts be changed. May we grow in our trust of you, may we know that to surrender to you is to surrender to a good, trustworthy God. One who gave everything to make the restoration and healing of our hearts possible. Amen.

9 comments:

Jane Farr said...

Thank you Mary. I loved this post!!

Martha Lever said...

Amen, Mar. Your posts are so wonderful and it is always something that I am either wondering about or struggling with. I guess I am always struggling not to walk in my own will. Thanks for being so faithful in your postings.

Don't you worry one bit about not doing the calligraphy class. It will be up indefinitely as far as I am concerned and when the time is right you can do it. I think you can get left handed nibs at Paper and Ink Arts. You can google it when you are ready.

Did you see that all my lavender went into the scratch pad? yucky!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

I think this is our greatest struggle, learning to live loved by God.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Mary. I agree with you...its not always easy to surrender...I mean fully surrender. But like you...I have learnt that its only in joyful surrender that I find PEACE IN HIM! God bless

Debbie said...

Thank you for your wonderful post! You really encouraged me today. hugs!

Sweet Fuchsia said...

Amen! Portions of that go well with things I wrote on my 'Notations to Self' blog/journaling... I enjoy reading your morsel's of wisdom. :0)

Jo Reimer said...

Thanks Mary, I needed to hear this today.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is beautiful Mary. I too needed to hear it. Have a great weekened. Sarah

Unknown said...

Your post spoke volumns to me sis...I strive to become closer and closer, and to surrender completely Knowing full well that's what my father wants me to do. (((hugs)))