For all of us that are parents (or who have had responsibility for children) we know all too well what the expressions "kicking and screaming the whole way" or "with heels dug in" or "dragging their feet" mean. Ultimately the task or objective is accomplished but with incredible reluctance on the part of the second party. The experience is difficult, frustrating and exhausting for the parent that is desperately trying to get "just a little cooperation please!" Contrast that with a situation in which the child is eager to do whatever is being asked because they are excited about the outcome. Their excitement is contagious and infects everyone around them. It is as if the moment of achievement cannot arrive quickly enough. Joy abounds and everyone is engaged in a positive way. How similar is this to our daily walk with our Lord?
Submission/surrender are frequently spoken words when we are discussing our walk and how we live out our faith. Yet I wonder how often we really consider our heart condition in that act. Are we like the recalcitrant child who understands that the adult is in control and no matter what the child wants, ultimately the adult wins? Oh and by the way, "adult person", child will make sure that you know they are not happy about what you are doing. Think about the conversations that you hear when eavesdropping on believers' discussions of how life is going. Begrudging cooperation is very distant from willing surrender. We have all heard the difference and sadly we have most likely all voiced it at one time or another.
Examples: "I know God is in control, but I also know what reality is and right now my reality stinks!" "The facts are the facts and right now, the facts are telling me that I don't know how I will make it through this chaotic crisis." "I just don't understand why everybody else has it made and I have to struggle so." "I am just going to have to settle for where I am and this is as good as it gets." Any of these sound familiar?
God never promised us a rose garden. In fact we are actually promised the opposite. We know that trials and tribulations are part of our life when we accept Christ as our Savior and are born again. Yet there are hundreds of other promises in the Word of God that we can and should stand on. The key to how well we walk this life out though is our fundamental belief and attitude. The key is simple: do we willingly and lovingly submit or do we begrudgingly cooperate?
Jesus gave us a parable about 2 sons whose father asked them to work for him in his vineyard. Matthew 21:28-31 "But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' The son answered, 'No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, 'You go,' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. Which of the two was obeying his father?" They replied, "The first, of course." Then Jesus explained his meaning: "I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. The first son thought about what his father was asking and realized he was wrong. He willingly went and did the work asked of him. The second son said what he knew his father wanted to hear, but then went about doing what he wanted. He exhibited an attitude of cooperation but his heart was not in alignment with his words.
When we fully surrender to the will of God it is usually with the conviction born of repentance and the knowledge that it is the love of God Himself that has rescued us. We fully comprehend that there is nothing that we can do or have done that makes us righteous in the sight of God except the blood of Jesus. Through our total surrender and acceptance of the love of God we are able to move past where we are and into another world entirely - for all of eternity. Yes, we will live out our lives here on earth but that is so transitory we dare not focus on it. Yet there are far too many people in our lives whose entire attention is on the here and now - what can be seen, felt and logically understood. They will acknowledge the power of God but it is as if they have a chip on their shoulders, anger just simmering below the surface, reminiscent of that child who is already plotting how to get what they want in spite of their parents' best efforts to "deny them".
Which heart honors the Lord? Again reflect upon the willful strong-headed child who cooperates with mom and dad but does so kicking and screaming versus the child who lovingly looks into the eyes of the parents, takes their hands and goes where asked. Which heart delights the parents? It is a question of the perspective of intent. Is our intent to do what is in our self interest or to do what delights the One who loves us most? If we view everything that happens through the lenses of self interest, we will undoubtedly be unhappy when God takes us someplace that makes no sense in our narrow, tunnel visioned world. However when we view everything through the heart of our Lord, with joy we will take His hand, saying, "I trust You. Let's go!" Does this mean we will always be happy? No, happiness is correlated to our circumstances. Joy however is directly related to our relationship with the Lord and our trusting Him in all circumstances.
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