Committed to Surrender
Summer is right around the corner which in someways brings a lot of open schedules and freedom but also fills up with vacations, camps, travel sports, and maybe even trying to find a little summer job. In the school year, we find ourselves in a rhythm of going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, maybe doing a weekly bible study with friends, really just having a more structured schedule. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot of about commitment. Being committed to studying God’s word, committed to participating in small group, committed to Christ-like friendships. After lots of self-reflection, I realized there are so many moments where I see my willingness/my commitment, fluctuate or change and maybe it’s the school year rhythm and the lack of rhythm in the summer and maybe you have seen this in yourself as well.
C.S Lewis said, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”
I saw that quote pop up on my Pinterest a few weeks ago and it shook me. Naturally I pinned it and continued to think about it off and on. Earlier this week I was in a staff devo and heard something that reminded me of that quote and sparked my Spirit. Bill our executive pastor at Hunter Street was speaking on the Fruit of the Spirit, specifically Gentleness. He said, “You can’t just wake up one day and decide you’re going to be more gentle. You’re only going to become more gentle by fully surrendering to the Lord.” Just like C.S Lewis says, the full surrender, the commitment, the relying is a daily act. I feel like the perfect reminder of all of this is found in the Word.
Luke 9:23-24 says this, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.”
How do we stay committed when life continues to put obstacles in our way? We practice humility, we remember that we can’t do it without God. We reflect on how the Lord has worked from the biggest moments to the common graces. We continue to get plugged in, with small group, bible study, corporate worship, godly friends. We fight the urge to fill our schedule with whatever pops up. Lastly, we commit to practice full surrender daily to God. Even as we go through seasons when our commitment is lacking, our Father continues to show us love and grace by the constant invitation to rely on him: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
-What is stopping me from being fully committed?
-How can I focus on fully relying on God each day?