Word and Light. Those are the two main descriptors John uses for the Lord in the opening verse of his gospel. THE Word, THE light.

It seems inconceivable that the One who created the universe, galaxies, our world, and us, came into it and was not known. Yet, it still happens now. Even as one who knows Him, I forget and put my trust in what I can see and touch. How about you?

We are born into the family of God by His will. We are created by His will.

Jesus is the divine self-expression of Almighty God. First God dwelt in the Tabernacle with his people, then in the flesh. He entered into our experience. Because of His deep love and compassion, He, “completely and absolutely gave Himself to us”, for us. In his book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says this is what John 3:16 means.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 NIV

This deeply impacted me. I never thought of Jesus’ sacrifice, His crucifixion, quite in that way. A giving of ALL of Himself for, and to me! All of Himself poured out for me to know and be embraced in! What stops us from total surrender to Him?

My spirit yearns to be totally surrendered to my beautiful God. I know He is what I need; what I long for in the deepest recesses of my being. Yet, my selfish, sinful heart continually rises up, clamouring for attention, for the throne! It makes me weary, and I feel like giving up. Do you ever feel this way? Like a failure, hopeless?

Remember, He knows us and is not surprised by our spiritual battles. Because it is a battle, Sisters! Satan, and his minions, long to keep us from trusting the Lord. But by surrendering to the Lord, we get to be united with Him and engulfed in His loving arms. What a beautiful, joyous, wondrous thought! This is the pinnacle of our existence, our purpose.

So how do we surrender to God?

In time spent soaking in the Word, we get Jesus, and the Light of God’s truth fills us and strengthens us for the daily grind.

Prayer is crying out to the Lord, and being completely honest with Him about our feelings and struggles. Real prayer is a surrender of perceived control over our circumstances, and a deep desire to simply know Him. When we pray, we have the privilege of spending time with the One who loves us deepest and best. No expectations, no judgement just a conversation between Father and daughter.

Surrendering is a choice. Jesus chose to come and surrender Himself. Every day we choose whether we will surrender ourselves to Him. Often, several times a day. It is a conscious choice to submit our will to His, our glory for His. A spiritual tug of war.

The Enemy whispers, “It isn’t fair! Why shouldn’t you be Queen! God must not really love you.” Jesus says, “I am all yours and you are all mine.”

So, who will we believe?  THE Word or words of doubt? THE Light or growing darkness? The choice is ours. But only one choice leads to rest, contentment, hope and freedom.

Oh, Sisters, choosing is hard at times. The lie looks so alluring and, the promise of power and glory so satisfying. But we have to remind ourselves it is just that, a lie, We need to repaint our minds with the truths we learn in our time with The Word and the Light and surrender fully, once again.

I am rooting for you and praying for you my friends!

Be well!

Patricia