Tag: surrender

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Don’t Tell Me What To Do

Jaime

Obedience:

compliance with an order, request, law, or submission to another’s authority.

Eek, I’m not too fond of the word. It makes me think of obedience training for dogs. I ain’t no dog.

When the pastor tells the congregation to rise for communion each Sunday, my insides squirm, “Don’t tell me what to do.” I’m a rebel at heart and don’t submit to anyone. That is until I gave my life to Jesus.

Surrendering my life meant dying to self and placing God’s will and Word ahead of my desires, feelings, and thoughts. So, when the pastor tells me to rise, I do it. Not because he is telling me to, but because God has appointed him, and I’m called to respect that.

We (as believers) have a responsibility to live a certain kind of life. Saved by grace, we have put our faith and trust in God. As a result, our response should be that of obedience. Not because we have to, but because we GET to.

What does living an obedient life look like?

  1. Loving God
  2. Loving others

 Big Picture Obedience

-Viewing scripture as the highest authority in our lives and living by it.

-Reading the bible (so we know what scripture says).

-Prayer: asking for God’s guidance in all situations. 

– Worship: expressing gratitude for who God is and what He’s done.

-Sharing the gospel: telling others about Jesus. 

-Discipleship: mentorship in the ways of Jesus.

-Collaborating with the Holy Spirit in everything we do.

-Placing Jesus and his ways above everything (politics and other worldly ways).

-Willingness to continue being molded into the likeness of Jesus.

-Living life differently and sharing in His suffering. 

What this looks like in everyday life:

Entertainment:  Intentionally choosing what we watch and listen to. 

Choosing our words wisely.

Taking thoughts captive and aligning them with God’s will. 

Forgiveness (despite feelings). 

How we view and treat others.

Not sitting in our own pity parties. Taking responsibility for our part, repenting as needed, and accepting the gift of grace that’s already been given.

How we use our time, and where we put our energy.

What’s the point of obedience?

  • One of the highest forms (if not the highest) of worship. 
  • An expression of our love, faith, and trust in God. 
  • Preparation for wherever God leads us. Obedience in the small things prepares us for the bigger things.
  • Points others to God: Living and responding differently when storms of life occur.

Benefits of obedience:

  • A peace that transcends all understanding. An inner knowing that God has our best interests at heart.
  • Increased intimacy with Him.
  • Sanctification: Continue growing in the likeness of God
  • Not fearing man or anything else in this world.

What one step of obedience can you take today?

“Faith demands commitment at the level of your heart, but obedience demands commitment at the level of your feet.”

                                                         (Unknown)

Attitude, Dependence on God

To Homeschool Or Not To Homeschool?

Jaime

I can’t begin to count the times I’ve said, “I’d never homeschool unless God called me to it.” Well, guess what?

I decided to homeschool my kids for the upcoming school year. I’ve been super proactive about it. I’ve done training’s, scoped out curriculum, started following mama’s on Instagram who homeschools their kids, all the things.

AND then, just the other day, my husband and I decided to place them in private school.

Initially, I was confused. I wondered why I had gone through the process of preparation when God already knew the outcome. I realize now, the process itself was, in fact, a personal process of fully surrendering my plans to Him.

You see, this was the first year that ALL of my kids were going to be in school full time. I’ve been looking forward to this day for years. Why? Because I want my time. Wanting my own time is not a bad thing, but God knows how deep my selfishness runs in this area.

I needed a priority check. I’ve felt a calling to women’s ministry for a while now, but I needed a reminder that my family is my first ministry. I’ve known this intellectually, but I never truly surrendered my heart and will, until now.

How has God flipped the script in your life?

Attitude, Dependence on God

More You, Less Me

Jaime

I want this season to be different.

A few years back I decided to give up watching television for Lent. I wanted to sacrifice something that had meaning to me, so I did, and IT SUCKED!!!! Each day I was confronted with feelings of discomfort and irritability. I found myself counting the days until I was reunited with my friends behind the screen.

Instead of leaning into the lack – viewing this precious time as one of surrender and connection – I made it about my desires and feelings.

This year my focus has shifted. I am doing a study called “40 Days of Decrease” by Alicia Britt Chole. She encourages us to look at Lent as less of a project and more of a “temporary stay,” with the purpose of presence vs. productivity.

What does this look like?

  • Less of me, more of Him.
  • Less distraction – being present in my circumstances, especially the uncomfortable ones.
  • Fewer obligations, more softening of the heart.

What has been your experience around Lent?

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I’ve Got Plans

Jaime

Have you ever had plans for your life that ended up not working out?

My plan as a young girl was to be a singer/actress. My summers involved musicals and rock bands. I loved being on stage and in the spotlight.

An opportunity arose when I was 15 years old. I had the chance to attend a prestigious camp to further my skills and career. My parents signed me up and I was ready to go.

And…

Then I met a boy, “fell in love,” and decided to skip camp to hang out with him. We broke up a few years later.

This changed the trajectory of my life.

I’d sometimes wonder what things would’ve been like if I had gone to that camp.

That wasn’t the plan for my life.

We tend to make plans according to our desires and needs; “I want… I want to be…” Sometimes we make plans based on what others desire for us. Mom might encourage marriage to a specific person. Dad wants you to take over the family business. We are blinded by our fleshly desires, so much so that we forget to consult with God about his plans for our lives.

God gives us freedom of choice. My choices may have put me on an alternate route, but God’s will prevailed.

Have you recently made a decision or plan that didn’t pan out? We’ve all been there. Here are some things that might help:

  • Surrender your will (if this is a struggle for you, pray for the desire to do so)
  • Pray for wisdom for your future and choices
  • Be aware of his presence and promptings
  • Trust that God’s plans are better than yours

What plans in your life turned out differently than you thought they would?