Why I’ve been changing: Surrendering this life for the Prince of Peace
Posted in Devotion on 10/02/2008 11:01 am by Ali Balweg
The first thing that needs to be completely and fully grasped is what Jesus Christ did for us- He gave up His life through suffering on the cross so that we might have eternal life. Just think about the magnitude of that for a minute… How amazing! I feel that many people take it for granted and go on with their normal lives just throwing God into the mix every once and awhile so that they can say they are Christians and are going to heaven. In fact, that used to be me. But just take a look at 1 Peter 4:1-2…
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”
Jesus lived completely devoted to God, even to the point of being humiliated and killed on the cross. Why? Because He knew He was only this world for a short amount of time and ultimately because He trusted God. Jesus set countless examples for us to follow, but this is the most important of them all- to surrender your whole life to God.
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” -Luke 9:24 (NIV)
Which means:
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat- I am.” -Luke 9:24 (The Message)
“Leave the irreparable past in His hands, and step out into the irresistible future with Him.” -Oswald Chambers
“You cannot stay the way you are AND go with God.” -Henry Blackaby
Surrendering to God means all of the above and so much more. It means changing your thoughts, actions, motives, desires… completely everything and letting HIM have control. This is what I’ve been doing and why I’ve been changing. My life is not my own. I am not living for this world; I’m living for my Prince. You may be questioning how I’m able to do so- the keys are faith, trust and joy.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”-Hebrews 11:1
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path’s straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” -Pslam 16:11
Even though I can’t see God I know He’s there (“We live by faith, not by sight” -2 Corinthians 5:7) and I know that I will only have full eternal joy, peace, and life if I trust in Him. Suffering will still come, but with God on my side I can find joy in it. That sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. God is the only one who can fill me with complete joy and peace. NOTHING in this world could take His place. Two last verses to think on… Please let me know if you want to know more or if I can be praying for you in any specific way.
“Acknowledge the God your Father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” -1 Chronicles 28:9
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” -Romans 12:2
October 17th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hmm, I was reading over this again as I was writing down some thoughts and one of the verses connected to what I was thinking. I thought I would comment on it and share it with anyone who reads this.
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat- I am.” -Luke 9:24 (The Message)
Here is the verse I was reading….
“…How unsearchable His judgment is, and His paths beyond tracing out!” -Romans 11:33
This is my short thought….How can we possibly think that we can have God as our Lord and Savior and not let Him have the reigns to our life? “His paths are beyond tracing out!”….There is no way we can expect to follow His path for us with out letting Him lead 100%. Because if we only let Him lead some of the time we are going to end up wondering half our lives not knowing which turn to take. My challenge is this…who’s in your “driver’s seat”? I think when it comes down to the truth, it’s us? I don’t want to live that way and I challenge who ever reads this to surrender to the one who can make your path straight and who can guide you through the most difficult mazes. This is not like driving; we can’t earn a license and graduate to driving this life ourselves. IT is so much more unpredictable then the highways we drive on and God is the only one who can help us prepare for it and conquer it. – Good Message Ali, great wprds and great encouragement