DEVOTIONAL: The Power of Surrender

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

MESSAGE:

This is a special season.

A time typically for rest, relaxation, fun experiences, doing something different, maybe even exciting – travel, sun, spontaneous camping trips, adventure…

Some can’t wait.

For others - it’s your worst nightmare.

Is it for you?

Are you secretly wondering how you are going to cope?

Change in routine.

Temperature change.

The regular and familiar - gone.

Being off work.

Children being off school.

Much more noise about the place.

A lot more visual clutter.

In conversations, having to smile and say that no you’re not away this year while inwardly dying that you’d love to go but just know you can’t.

You know your family wouldn’t manage this.

You know that every day will need planned out in detail and in advance.

This is a very real grieving process.

A very legitimate grieving process.

Allow yourself to grieve.

There is a loss to recognise the difference in the life you hoped for compared to the life you now lead.

The sadness is there and there is no hurry to have to overcome it.

There is a letting go needed to the life you thought you would have.

Don’t fight it.

Surrender to the life you do have.

Let yourself be crucified with Christ.

Surrender to the needs of others.

Surrender to self.

Beyond that is a place of peace and acceptance.

A place where we can embrace what we do have, and allow God’s resurrection power to flow into our life.

A resurrection life that is precious.

A resurrection life like finding a precious jewel buried in a field.

A new outlook, a new acceptance, a new vision for the future. 

POINT TO PONDER:

What is the hardest part for you to accept about holidays?

PRAYER:

“Father God, thank you that Jesus was the most perfect example of surrender. Surrender to self - to his own human will. He loved You and he loved us. Help me to love You and let go of me. Help me to love You more so I can serve those around me more. Help me to love You so I can love myself as You love me. Help me to surrender more today and find the treasure in that. In Jesus name, amen.”