Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:46 pm
Hi lael,
Naturally, only God knows for sure what's going on in your heart. In one of your recent posts you spoke of your biggest fear as being afraid to give something up. The subject of surrender comes to my mind and I thought that I would share a few excerpts from a book called "Truth or Propaganda"
There is an old story, somewhat lacking in authenticity, about a man chasing a rabbit through the woods. He was almost upon the rabbit, the story says, when suddenly they came to the edge of a cliff. The rabbit, of course, had the advantage. It was small and agile, able to make a quick turn and avoid going over the precipice. but the man couldn't make the turn and went over.
As he was falling, he sighted a limb on a bush and was able to grab it. Then he began to scream for help. He shouted, "Is anyone up there?" There was no answer. so he yelled again, this time still louder, "Is anyone up there?"
Finally he heard a stately voice from somewhere above, "To whom do you wish to speak?"
And the man, desparate as he hung onto the limb, managed to shout, "Anyone who will help me."
Then, according to the legend, the strange interchange continued. The voice from above asked, "Do you have faith?" And the man replied, "Yes." He hoped it was true.
"All right," said the voice, "if you have faith, let go of that limb."
The man hesitated. He looked down. It was a long way down. All that stood between him and certain death, it seemed, was that limb. Finally, after, a long silence, the desperate man shouted, "Is anyone else up there?"
Just a story. Just a legend. But how true to life. We think we have faith in God. We talk about it, and boast about it. And we get along fine--so long as our faith isn't challenged. But when it is--when we get into a tight spot where we have to throw our full weight on it, where we have to demonstrate it or deny it--that's another story.
It isn't easy to let go the limb we're holding onto--no matter how insecure it may be--and just trust God. And many a man, when God has asked of him a full surrender, has looked around for some other god to worship, for a faith that didn't require that kind of commitment. It isn't easy to let go!...Surrender is the most difficult thing in the Christian life. Yet surrender is the only key, the only entrance, to a saving relationship with our Lord. How can He save us until we stop trying to save ourselves? How can He save us until we are willing to let Him save us His way?
Surrender sounds like risk. That's why we fear it. We seem to think that God is just waiting to dump a whole assortment of unpleasant things on our heads the moment we surrender. Surely He will ask us to give up everything we don't want to do, and experience everything we don't want to experience.
What kind of God do we think He is? Would a God who loves us enough to give His only Son to die for us--would He go out of His way to make life as unpleasant as He could? The apostle Paul asks it this way: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
Listen. If you knew Him, if you really knew Him, you would be eager to let Him manage your life. You would know that it's perfectly safe. You would know that it involves no risk at all. Rather, the deeper your commitment, the more complete your surrender, the greater will be the sense of wonder at His love, His providence, His unfailng care. When you surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, you are surrendering to One who loves you as if you were the only person in the world to love. Could there be any risk in that?...A man will never find personal victory until he throws aside his miserable crutches and says, "Lord, I am a sinner. I've made a mess out of my life. I can't manage it. I bring my defeated life to You just as a child brings a stubborn toy to his father. You make it work. I can't. But You can!"
That's how simple it is. It's difficult only because it isn't easy for a proud, hard heart to be broken. It isn't easy for a man to surrender, to admit that he is weak.
But surrender is the key. Without surrender there is no miracle, no victory, only continual defeat.
Surrender happens when we look at Calvary and see Jesus dying there in our place, on a cross that should have been ours. Surrender happens when that cross becomes more importrant than our pride, when we know that we don't want to wound the Saviour again--ever!
Then the miracle happens!
Naturally, only God knows for sure what's going on in your heart. In one of your recent posts you spoke of your biggest fear as being afraid to give something up. The subject of surrender comes to my mind and I thought that I would share a few excerpts from a book called "Truth or Propaganda"
There is an old story, somewhat lacking in authenticity, about a man chasing a rabbit through the woods. He was almost upon the rabbit, the story says, when suddenly they came to the edge of a cliff. The rabbit, of course, had the advantage. It was small and agile, able to make a quick turn and avoid going over the precipice. but the man couldn't make the turn and went over.
As he was falling, he sighted a limb on a bush and was able to grab it. Then he began to scream for help. He shouted, "Is anyone up there?" There was no answer. so he yelled again, this time still louder, "Is anyone up there?"
Finally he heard a stately voice from somewhere above, "To whom do you wish to speak?"
And the man, desparate as he hung onto the limb, managed to shout, "Anyone who will help me."
Then, according to the legend, the strange interchange continued. The voice from above asked, "Do you have faith?" And the man replied, "Yes." He hoped it was true.
"All right," said the voice, "if you have faith, let go of that limb."
The man hesitated. He looked down. It was a long way down. All that stood between him and certain death, it seemed, was that limb. Finally, after, a long silence, the desperate man shouted, "Is anyone else up there?"
Just a story. Just a legend. But how true to life. We think we have faith in God. We talk about it, and boast about it. And we get along fine--so long as our faith isn't challenged. But when it is--when we get into a tight spot where we have to throw our full weight on it, where we have to demonstrate it or deny it--that's another story.
It isn't easy to let go the limb we're holding onto--no matter how insecure it may be--and just trust God. And many a man, when God has asked of him a full surrender, has looked around for some other god to worship, for a faith that didn't require that kind of commitment. It isn't easy to let go!...Surrender is the most difficult thing in the Christian life. Yet surrender is the only key, the only entrance, to a saving relationship with our Lord. How can He save us until we stop trying to save ourselves? How can He save us until we are willing to let Him save us His way?
Surrender sounds like risk. That's why we fear it. We seem to think that God is just waiting to dump a whole assortment of unpleasant things on our heads the moment we surrender. Surely He will ask us to give up everything we don't want to do, and experience everything we don't want to experience.
What kind of God do we think He is? Would a God who loves us enough to give His only Son to die for us--would He go out of His way to make life as unpleasant as He could? The apostle Paul asks it this way: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
Listen. If you knew Him, if you really knew Him, you would be eager to let Him manage your life. You would know that it's perfectly safe. You would know that it involves no risk at all. Rather, the deeper your commitment, the more complete your surrender, the greater will be the sense of wonder at His love, His providence, His unfailng care. When you surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, you are surrendering to One who loves you as if you were the only person in the world to love. Could there be any risk in that?...A man will never find personal victory until he throws aside his miserable crutches and says, "Lord, I am a sinner. I've made a mess out of my life. I can't manage it. I bring my defeated life to You just as a child brings a stubborn toy to his father. You make it work. I can't. But You can!"
That's how simple it is. It's difficult only because it isn't easy for a proud, hard heart to be broken. It isn't easy for a man to surrender, to admit that he is weak.
But surrender is the key. Without surrender there is no miracle, no victory, only continual defeat.
Surrender happens when we look at Calvary and see Jesus dying there in our place, on a cross that should have been ours. Surrender happens when that cross becomes more importrant than our pride, when we know that we don't want to wound the Saviour again--ever!
Then the miracle happens!
