ME-ssentials – Surrendered – Day Thirty

ESSENTIALS for Me to Be: Surrendered

September 30^th, 2021

What’s your ESSENTIAL?

Essential: absolutely necessary; indispensable; the essence of a thing; inherent and intrinsic, vital

Just as there are so many ESSENTIALS for me to be, there are just as many ESSENTIALS for me NOT to be. Let’s explore those the other half of this month!

Luke 9:23-27, ‘Then He told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with Me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when He arrives in all His splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the Kingdom of God.”’ (MSG)

Life is infiltrated every moment of everyday with options. Options of how to ‘be’, respond, react, communicate, live. At least mine is. So I was considering all the choices we face each moment. For instance, I can choose to suture myself to something I feel very passionate about, and I can refuse to contemplate anyone else’s feelings or opinions. I can battle for a cause of my own and care-a-less about the casualties that fall by the wayside. I can be determined to do my own thing no matter what the cost. I am my own very best friend, and also my worst enemy, and there is no one that I more should fear than myself.

While there is nothing wrong with ascertaining a direction we would like to see ourselves head in, it is also important to check in with the Father as to what He wants for His children. It is imperative to let Jesus lead and to be in control, in the driver’s seat, so to speak. We chance making some really poor choices that sometimes take us in a direction that may cost far more in the long run. When we refuse to surrender to the Master, we must realize that someone then still is enthroned in each of our lives, which is either the enemy or our own self, and in those terms, that is a little scary.

Just as I can selfishly choose my way or the highway, likewise I can choose to surrender myself, and focus instead on others and on the Lord. It is a daily, and sometimes moment by moment, decision to put others before myself, to be content in who God created me to be and for the purpose He had in mind for me. Jesus set the bar when He demonstrated to us how to be surrendered to the Father and to others. He truly illustrated it is possible to be entirely surrendered, content and willing to be pliable in His hands, for His purpose.

1 Peter 5:6-7, ‘So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.’ (MSG)