Surrender
I have been a bit like a “one note song” of late. It takes me a long time to learn the really difficult things the Lord is trying to teach me. Some things come easily – like forgiveness. Others are much harder – like absolute trust. And so we, the Lord and I, have been working on the issue of trust for a long time.
God teaches me with such love and patience. He uses His word, teachers, songs, friends, circumstances and sometimes just the things around me to gently (and sometimes, perhaps, not so gently) get His point across. I thought I had learned this lesson; thought I could check it off the list. I think I’ve written about it numerous times because I was so blessed to think I had finally moved a few more steps forward – thus the “one note song”. I wanted to share what I had learned.
We had some unexpected news this past week, and I find I haven’t really learned this lesson after all. There is a key component missing in my version of trusting the Lord. It is surrender.
I discovered that even when I thought I had fully trusted, there was a small part of my heart I held in reserve. There was fear in that small place. I realized that I trusted as long as I believed that things were eventually going to work out the way I wanted them to. In a sense, I was trusting according to my own will. I said all the right words, even experienced the peace that comes from resting in Him, but I was still holding on to what I hold most dear. There were conditions to my trust I hadn’t realized were there, but God knew. He knows my heart better than I do.
I find that if I have not completely surrendered my will to His, I am not really trusting at all. It is a frightening thing to say, “Not my will but Yours be done,” without any qualification. I plead for a miracle but realize that I must accept whatever He deems best. When I prayed before, I was trusting in the miracle. Now I am simply trusting.
Trusting in the One who has promised to never leave me or forsake me; trusting in the One who sent His Beloved Son to die in my place; trusting in the One who has never failed; trusting in the One who loves me with a love that knows no measure.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NAS)
Awesome post sweetie.
I know exactly what you mean. I too have issues sometimes with trust and like you just when I think I have it down pact something happens that shows me I need to get on my knees and just surrender to Him again.
Thank you for sharing.
Loved your post. Trust is my favorite topic, it is so illusive at times, but brings great reward of peace in God’s control. It’s something I must re-learn over and over.
Wow Linda,
You and I must some how be in the same boat. Perhaps you are at the stern and I th bow but we are learning this smae walk. Thank you for this. Love and hugs, Lynn
For some reason I was compelled to pour another cup of coffee, settle in, and click over here to read what you had to say. I know now it’s because I need to spend some time searching my heart. This was a wonderful, wonderful post. {{{hug}}}
Linda—this touched my heart this morning. Just this very week I have had trouble turning something over completely to God. I needed to hear/read this message on trust….He is teaching me—daily.
This was so encouraging! Thank you for once again being His holy vessel!
You know, Linda, I have to admit that I have always a little part of me that is not totally surrendered to Him. Like you, one of them in fear. I know deep down in my heart that His will has always a purpose, even when I don’t like His will. I know that I do not need to fear, because He will be there with me every step of the way – but tell that my brain! Sometimes my thoughts are just not very trusting in His goodness.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us.
Blessings to you and yours…and ((((hugs))))