Day 10 - The Heart of Worship
There are three barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride, and confusion. We don't realize how much God loves us, we want to control our own lives, and we misunderstand the meaning of surrender.
WOW lets talk about those three for a second. I fear what God would have me do if I listened to him wholdheartedly. I have pride in my family, money, cars, clothes... Could I give up everything to be a Christ follower. I don't want to. And yes I don't always surrender my daily activities. Doing what God wants always - is hard. Which of the three are you?
Everyone eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lust, or ego. If you don't worship God, you will create other things to give your life to. Idols aren't always gold statues. They are careers, hobbies, people. Idols aren't always easy to recognize. You can make an idol out of great things - like your kids, your hobbies, your career, your wife, husband, mom, deceased loved one. God is the ONLY one deserving of our worship.
Surrendering. It means doing what God wants you to do. Everyday. Practice surrendering tomorrow.
Surrender...
ReplyDeleteBig pill to swallow tonite.
What really hit me tonight was when Rick said,
"Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or anothers please DONT take it way."
It's been almost four years and I still struggle with why God has allowed certain things in my life to happen. I've prayed a thousand different ways for this to be taken from me. I've tried to accept it and i thank him for the healing and blessings that he has given me, but never have I prayed for it to not be taken from. Not only can it provide a purpose in my own life (and has brought me blessings in spiritual growth) but in others. The night before Christ was crucified, he was found in the garden surrendering himself to his fathers plan. He was facing something far greater than I am yet there he was, SURRENDERING to his plan! "God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose that's what I want too.
I may never know Gods purpose , why I have this. But if there is in any way that this could benefit someones life than I will not stand in the way of Gods plans. I will surrender to him and pray that I do not mess with what he has all figured out.
I think it is really hard sometimes to look at rough times in our life and understand that there is a reason we are going through it. Sometimes when I am in the moment, I think why is this happening to me or I wish this wasn't happening right now--but after the time has passed, it is easier to step back and see the benefits of it. Right?
ReplyDeleteYes Britt! I thought of you too. I think you can pray for Gods will but I'm still going to pray for your healing ;) In all serious though, you are mature beyond your years and I respect the fact that you would even take that into consideration. Great job good and faithful Brittany!
ReplyDeleteErin- hindsight is 20/20! It's our goal to be calm in the middle of the storm though. To rely so much on God that you trust his plan even when the pain is still happening.
I loved day 10- but hard to live out
I was going to say about the same thing as Erin. It is much easier to look back at something and realise there was a purpose for it than to be ok with it when its happening. It is really hard to pray and ask for God to do his will when the outcome could be something you don't want or aren't ready for.
ReplyDeleteI liked when he said not to be afraid, nothing under his control can ever be out of control. That was something to really think about.
God wants to use my personality. In the past I have been afraid to be entirely open and honest about my relationship with God. I think recently I have surrendered in one area of my life and that is by speaking up and not being afraid to sound stupid or that I am wrong in feeling the things that I do, because true chirstians wont judge me. They will only better me by helping me understand. I haven't surrendered fully, because I feel like that is an impossible task, but I know I'm going somewhere...I feel like my maturity in my relationship with God is at about toddler stage, but at least its a start...
so to add. I believe I am confused the most. I have so many questions as to how to do things for God and I dont understand how washing the dishes can be for him, but I would like to try...how do you surrender your life to him and make everything you do for him when you are confused by why God likes it when you clean house for him, or greet a customer for him, or sleep for him...why didn't I do this book sooner? I feel like I've wasted so much time?
ReplyDeleteAshley I completely agree with you! I was talking to Lauren yesterday and I said I feel like this is a book I need to read multiple times, because right now I read it and I feel like I don't know how to implement everything or it is all so much to think about that maybe if I do another 40 days after this one some things will start to be clearer...who knows!
ReplyDeleteAsh- I think you are on the right track. You are totally into it and thinking about the book in relation to your life and that's great! Do not be afraid because nothing in HIS control is ever out of control. That is awesome and you should write that down and read it multiple times a day. ha! It's not that you are confused, it's just a lot to take in. The whole 'doing the dishes' is a state of mind. It's not like you have to sing along with worship music while you are cleaning, it's your attitude. Let me tell you when I am doing the dishes I am not pleasing to God. I am cussing up a storm. No not really, but I am not happy or excited about doing chores. Maybe waking up and saying "whatever I do today I am going to thank God for it" and just thank God for a house, or for your family that makes dishes dirty, or pray for a DISHWASHER!
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