Everyone needs encouragement every now and then.........
Therefore, Depending on where you are in God........
You have to know when what you think that you know ISNT enough to get you where you are going! You also have to realize when you need spiritual help, food, one liners, a sermon, a song!
Anything that can help PULL you up out of the pit OR keep you from going down into the pit!
Abandon Yourself To God! |
What does utterly abandoning yourself to God mean?
The definition of abandon, according to Webster's, is:
1 a : to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent b : to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in
2 : to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment <abandon ship>.
Admittedly, this is a frightening concept. Who really wants to let go completely? When danger looms the most natural response is "fight or flight". In doing either option you're probably thinking about your own self-preservation.
God calls us to total trust and reliance upon Him and His power. It's a constant call. We don't have to wait for danger to release our self-control in favor of God's. If, in fact, you only turn to God when you are afraid or overwhelmed then you're not living a real life of faith. We all know there are no atheists in foxholes.
An ongoing reliance on God's power, guidance and encouragement in each and every day is a worthy goal. Ideally every waking moment, but begin where you can. There are many days when I am continually confronting "letting go". I leave so many claw marks.
|
Help Me, I Think I'm Falling
I have never bungee jumped, but I imagine there is a sense of abandonment in doing that. Much like skydiving (which I have also never done). I do like excitement, but I also crave security and certainty. To the extent that I will not completely abandon to God do I hold back my growth in faith.
Abandonment makes me fearful. I have thoughts of being defenseless. This is not the idea of abandonment to God. I think giving up our self will to the love and care of God better conveys it. Still, the greatest struggle for us all is the one over who gets to control our lives: God or us?
Real abandonment to God as complete surrender. His comment about why so many of us refuse to do it for the right reasons strikes me to the core. "Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself".
|
I Will If You Will
Our longing for God must travel beyond this idea of transaction; that if I give to God He will give to me. He gives to all of us, both good and bad.
I'm not sure if I will achieve this true surrender for anything more than a few minutes at a time. However, I must strive onward. Like so many of the wonderful mysteries of God's love, it is a gift. Do I choose to accept it? It is so hard to get away from a performance-based mentality.
Abandon yourself to God as best you can. Pray for courage, pray for willingness. Our salvation is deliverance from ourselves into perfect union with God. Be grateful that He took the first step and sent His son. He completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. Now it is our turn. |
