I have had this simple and powerful verse from a song I learned as a child running through my mind for weeks and weeks and weeks. Weeks...seriously, in the shower, on the way to work, in the office, when I go to sleep, when I wake up. All the time. It was really getting annoying to be completely honest. I would find myself singing, especially in the car when I was alone on the way to work. Now, I am not gifted with any singing ability. Zip, zero, nada, 0, no ability. But I sang it anyways, thinking the cars that drove beside me were under the impression I had the voice of a nightingale. In and of it's self, that's a lesson. But, that's not what God was focused on this past month or so. He was preparing me for today.
Today we had a very special group of ladies at our Women of Worth Morning at church. These ladies are from a local women's recovery home, "Hannah's House". What song did they sing, but a song about surrender to Jesus! Of course they did! These ladies had the joy of the Lord from deep in their souls to the smiles on their faces. It was shining through them!
And then it all clicked. They had surrendered. You see, these beautiful, talented, transparent, passionate, hard working, and Jesus loving ladies knew the joy of the Lord. They understand surrender. They've come from different paths. Some came from picture perfect homes, others from less than ideal upbringings, but either way they stood together and proclaimed their surrender to Jesus!
It's easier to sing than to do (even if it is off key). But I learned something today that my mind knew but my heart had become hardened to---it takes surrender to find and keep joy.
You see, my friend, the surrender is the sweet spot. I don't play sports. If I had my way I would never throw a ball, run, sweat, mess up my hair, or break a nail. But what I hear from my husband, who does love sports, is that there is such a thing as a sweet spot. According to this wonderful tool called the internet I was able to learn a bit more.
The sweet spot is the spot in where the ball hits perfectly. I have never felt that sweet spot because you see I am not coordinated, and honestly could care less about the whole idea of becoming a sports lover. I only like going to football games (Go Ducks!) for the thrill of the crowd. I digress. The sweet spot generates the greatest amount of velocity. So the sweet spot in any activity is the specific aspect of that activity that generates the greatest result. Okay, so I get it now. Surrender is an action. An action that is repeated, again and again. Surrender = Joy!
Surrender is our sweet spot. It's the place where we generate the greatest result. Not because of us, but because of Him. It's the surrender that rids us of our selfishness, our pride, our hurt, our bitterness, our deepest secrets, and largest disappointments. The surrender is where the joy begins. If we stay in surrender it's where our joy remains. Thanks Abba Father for being patient with this hard headed and stubborn daughter of yours. I get it now. I need to stay in the sweet spot of surrender. This is going to take some effort, but I am ready to do it. Are you?
So, I'll sing it loud and from my heart. Sing it with me friends.
I surrender all, I surrender all. All to thee my precious Savior, I surrender all. All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
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