i.
TOTAL
(adjective) –
a. constituting or comprising the whole;
entire; whole: the total expenditure;
b.
of or pertaining to the whole of
something: the total effect of a play;
c.
complete in extent or degree; absolute;
unqualified; utter: a total failure;
d.
involving all aspects, elements,
participants, resources, etc.; unqualified; all-out…
ii.
SURRENDER
(noun) -
a.
the act or an instance of SURRENDERING
(verb)
b.
to yield (something) to the possession or
power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress: to surrender
the fort to the enemy;
c.
to give (oneself) up to some
influence, course, emotion, etc.;
d.
to give up, abandon, or relinquish…
I saw it fit to define these words in order to proceed further.
An implied (very strongly, might I add) prerequisite of becoming, and being a
Christian is surrender. Just like being a citizen of a specific country (e.g. Saint
Lucia) you are officially an ambassador or diplomat of that country- even when
not on local soil, are also obligated to abide by the laws of the said
territory, so too does the same apply to Christiandom.
**CHRISTIAN [derivative of CHRIST] i.e. representing (by choice)
Christ in every aspect of living, irrespective of location whether physical, emotional
etcetera
I have heard and had experiences with individuals who are
self-professed Christians- but often times I am left to wonder whether they
even understand the real meaning of the word or the gravity of this confession.
Don’t get me wrong- as Christians we all have struggles that we need to
overcome and imperfections that need to be worked on. But how much we are
trying to be Christ-like?
(Or) Are we using our imperfect
nature as an excuse to ‘escape’ fault acknowledgements? I do not know. Perform an introspective
and make the analysis- to each his own.
This point of digression redirects me to this titled blog. You
see, habitually in song we happen across the word and sing it for “singing’s
sake”, but have you ever believed it for living’s sake? In my devotionals, I constantly
plead with God to have his way in my life; to let His will be done. Arrest me;
that if I am ever out of line, He will pull me back in line. And the criteria for
His will: TOTAL SURRENDER. I understood that it meant a complete abandonment of
personal goals and doing things His way. But did I fully comprehend the journey
it would entail? To an extent: Yes. But to an even greater extent: No. And it
is in this journey that my faith and understanding has (been), and continues to
(be) tested, built and grow(s).
Let me get a bit technical- when I first accepted salvation,
my perception of Christianity was ‘chopped and screwed’. I thought that I could
continue living like a Calendar Christian (you know- church on Sunday and
Monday through to Saturday- “world” living). After all that was what I pretty
much grew up around- that was all I knew. So off gallivanting I went, but God wanted:
a. to alter my perception entirely
b. to reveal to me, the BIGGER
PICTURE painted with a GREATER PURPOSE
c. me to know Him and love Him for
Him
d. a RELATIONSHIP with me
e. TOTAL SURRENDER on my part
But…
was I ready for all of this? No! I certainly didn’t think that I was, but God
wanted me to be ready. (There is definitely something about that moment when
your head hits the water in baptism. God honors that and will do any and everything
to get you to serve Him.)I
even attempted dead-end relationships and- of course- that did not work. Tried pursuing
my education route of choice and that too didn’t work. I tried it all, but it
just DID NOT WORK. All I got was hurt, pain, tears, frustration, anger- all
non-spiritual fruit- but NO INNER JOY.
Until
THAT day; that rude awakening; where I had to realize that He wanted to be in
control and I had to give Him the HONOR of CONTROL (TOTAL SURRENDER). I had to relinquish
my pride and allow Him to humble me. I don’t think it is pertinent that I
continue as to the course my life took from that “decision moment” but I will.
Things began falling in line:
i.
I
was called to be a leader ( in ministry) in more than one place, that I never
know possible;
ii.
I
became a leader in fields relative to my profession (that I never entirely envisioned)
which ultimately permitted me to:
a.
Travel
to countries I never that I never thought I would go to, under these
circumstances;
b.
Travel
in the name of ministry
iii.
I’ve
been blessed persons whom have been and continue to play a vital role in in my
Christian growth;
iv.
I
have endured deliverance periods thereby permitting me to enter into the high level/
ground that God has called me to;
v.
Talents
and giftings began (and continue) to surface.
And the list goes on…
Enter into the next phase of my
life where I graduated college and now await the next breakthrough. I have
allowed Christ to take the lead, center, every circumference and area of my
life. Part of that surrender entails PATIENCE, which I admit is tasking at times
to that point where I wanted to become like Jacob and wrestle with God for my
blessing. But he keeps me in check, imploring that I wait- patiently. So I let
go and constantly have to remember how He always comes through for me and quite
honestly, I’d rather have things go His way. After all, He is a Just-In-Time
God and I am delighted; honored to serve, love, know and be with Him.
So until that day of your
breakthrough dear brother/ sister, rest perfectly in His will. The best is yet to
come!
Cheers to Kingdom living!
