I GIVE IT ALL TO YOU

Ever been in such a desperate situation that you could see no good outcome? Or to get to a good outcome you’re going to have to go through something painful and you don’t know if it’s worth it? You can’t really rest, can’t find your joy, no energy just confusion, anxiety and guilt. To one degree or another we have all been there or are headed there. We are human and we are all going to face times of trouble and turmoil in our lives. Some more than others. We are going to face things that make us stumble and fall, things that make us struggle within ourselves and the world around us. And on top of all that you get judged and labeled for your struggle which only adds to your pain. You wonder is there anyone that knows how I feel, anyone who can relate. Your struggle may have been brought on by yourself or someone else or a combination of both but either way it leaves you feeling vulnerable and off balance. Believe it or not that’s not a bad thing. I know it may sound crazy but hear me out. There is real power in vulnerability and feeling out of control if directed correctly. Most can’t see or understand this power. Vulnerability is actually a crucial component in fulfilling the plan for your life. It doesn’t feel good. Getting to that place of vulnerability is not easy and can actually be excruciating and extremely humbling. It teaches us that God is really the one in control and He has been gracious enough to allow us to think we are. If we really trust our lives, our thoughts, our words and our actions to Him we will have the power to endure and even thrive in our struggle. But in order to thrive in the struggle we have to be brutally honest with ourselves and God. You never have to hold out with Him. He gets you, He knows where you struggle, why you struggle and He doesn’t judge you for it. He just wants you to trust Him with your struggle. The most important thing is for you to feel the love and acceptance of Christ even when you feel you don’t deserve it. Don’t make the mistake of measuring Christ by people’s reaction. Most of the time they are grappling with painful issues in their own lives and it offers some relief to point and judge you. Let people be people and let Christ be Christ. It’s the acceptance of Christ that gives us the power not to continue in whatever struggle we may have. It’s His acceptance that gives us insight into ourselves and why we do the things we do and why we feel the way we feel. Your real power is when you are humbled and you know and feel He loves you anyway, which He does. That power helps you make the right decision in your struggle. That power will use that struggle to mold you into who you were meant to be. That power will conquer your struggle and make you a powerful instrument of healing, love and acceptance. It’s love not judgement that ushers in change.

When you realize how weak and vulnerable you truly are the stronger you become in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the Lord says my strength (power) is made perfect in your weakness. We don’t like to hear this because the last thing we want to feel is weak, but it is in our brokenness that God works most powerfully in our lives. This will ring true if you choose to make the right decision in the midst of your struggle. So what should we choose to do in the midst of our struggle? A while back people were wearing these bracelets that said WWJD (what would Jesus do) and I think that is the best place to look. What would He do? Jesus struggled and suffered in the Garden of Gethsamane with the thought of going to the cross. Just a little footnote, don’t ever let anyone shame you for your struggle. So what did Jesus do? After He asked if there was any other way He said “nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done”. He surrendered. That is the key to whatever struggle we have, surrender. We must let go of our expectations and/or our guilt. This is where the issue begins with most of us because surrender is not easy and does not feel natural or effective. But it is the only way in God’s Kingdom. Jesus is not surprised by you or your struggle. Why don’t we just accept the free gift of forgiveness and keep it moving? We are so use to self condemnation and the condemnation of others that we cannot relate to the concept of surrender. We think we should know better by now, afterall, we are competent and even excel in other parts of our lives, why can’t we get a grip on this. I’m struggling with things I should have mastered by this stage in my life. He can’t be pleased with me. He can’t possibly want me to come to Him with all my faults, failures and issues. He can’t possibly want to see me in this condition. But Beloved that is exactly what He wants. He’s the only one who can help you. He’s the only one that can see beyond what you do to what’s in your heart and the only thing it takes to please Him is for you to trust Him. The way God operates is so foreign to the way we operate it almost seems too good to be true. So we think there has to be a catch, surely there must be something else for us to do. But what we sometimes don’t realize and can’t see is that real freedom comes from the realization that our struggles do not define us but they may explain something about us. If we allow it and sometimes even if we don’t, our struggles will bring us to the end of ourselves. And from God’s perspective (and ours when we are ready to admit it) this is the best place to be. When we end God can begin. Don’t despise your desperation. It can bring you to the end of yourself right into the arms of Jesus. The true measure of man is not just that he believes but to whom has he surrendered. This is a very personal choice to let God be God of your life. To surrender control. No one can make you do it and He won’t. You choose whom you will serve, Him or self, you and God are the only ones who know for sure. Thank God Jesus is who He is. Thank God that He forgives us of our sins. Thank God He allows for our growth and growing pains.

Our struggles are not the problem, it’s what we choose to do in the struggle. Choosing to surrender to God doesn’t mean the absence of trouble. On the contrary, trouble will seek you out just like it does everyone else. But choosing God allows Him to be your advocate, your protector, your provider, your vindicator, your guide, your everything. He is I AM. I AM is in the house when we choose to surrender. I AM is everything you need, to do whatever it is you need to do. I AM is all you need to have everything you are supposed to have. And He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you could ever think to ask for.

Don’t focus on the struggle and as I said before don’t ever let anyone shame you because of your struggle. The struggle is a symptom of the need to make a choice. Surrender to Him and He will guide you and bring you peace. Surrender to Him because you are convinced He will forgive you no matter what, that’s when He becomes your Blessed Savior. I’m sorry but Woo! that makes me want to shout right there! And if you have any doubts He assures us of this in 1 John 1:9. Not only will He forgive us He Himself will purify us. Don’t you see its not about the struggle it’s about whether or not you trust Him enough to say “nevertheless” in the midst of your struggle. You have really got to trust Him in order to expose the dark places you don’t talk about and to trust He understands and forgives. Can you surrender your needs, your agenda and open yourself up to what God has planned for you? This day and everyday who are you going to serve?

Who do you think loves Jesus more, someone He has forgiven a little or a lot? It’s the one that He has forgiven a lot! These are not my words, Jesus said this to a Pharisee who judged a woman for her many sins and secretly judged Jesus for associating with her in Luke 7:47 “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. So if you have a lot to be forgiven for step right up! He’s ready and waiting for you especially!