To enjoy life fully, we surrender control to God. Of course, this is merely admits the truth: God has final authority. Ironically, to really enjoy giving it over to Him, we must also be active – exerting our own efforts even when progress is slow and the result uncertain.

A sign of surrender is upraised and open palms. When police command a criminal to put his hands over his head, they know he is less able to take aggressive action. But the maneuver serves another important function.

Raising one’s arms stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This has a calming effect, counteracting the sympathetic “fight-flight” response. While the sympathetic response moves blood to the extremities and prepares us for action, parasympathetic activation moves blood to the torso, facilitating digestion and the sexual response.

While we use our hands to work with all our might, approaching God with hands raised and empty shows our willingness to lay everything down. The posture of surrender demonstrates we know without Him we can do nothing. Thus, we give all effort and striving to Him, knowing He takes them willingly.

Surrender calms the soul and ushers us into gratitude, peaceful well-being, and joyful rest. No wonder the apostle Paul wanted everyone to pray with hands raised, without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:8)

If you are not already in the habit, try raising your hands high in worship and prayer. It will dampen frustration and anxieties, and help you release tension and your own efforts at control to God. Surrender is a key activity for childlike trust. Think you might look goofy if you lift your hands? Afraid someone will judge you? Surrender that, too!

Like a little child raising its arms to mom or dad, wanting to be lifted up, show God you trust Him to carry you and the burdens you bear. Surrender all to Him with a simple gesture. Let peace reign.

“All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.”

I met with a woman today who suffered severe abuse as a child. She coped by telling herself it was better for her to suffer and protect her younger siblings. Even as an adult, she has consistently put other’s needs before her own. Recently, she was offered a promotion that was attractive, but it came with strings attached.

She prayed about the decision, but didn’t feel she got any answer from God. However, after saying yes to the job, she didn’t sleep well for three nights. Upon further reflection, she realized she was uncomfortable with the way they handled the offer and the commitment they asked of her. She subsequently notified them she did not want the position, and she was able to sleep again.

As we spoke, she wondered aloud why God never seems to tell her what to do. I suggested that perhaps her lack of peace was God’s way of getting her attention. But then it occurred to me then that in her case, God was in a tough spot. Even if He wanted to direct her, he could not really tell her what He wants for her without joining the ranks of others who are happy to run her life. For if she knew what God desired, she would just revert to her knee-jerk tendency to sacrifice all for the one she loves, considering her own wishes irrelevant.

No doubt, all of us must learn to say, “Not my will, but thine be done.” But it is not enough to say it as a default position. We cannot truly surrender what we have not claimed as our own. God will not take over a will that has not been affirmed. God cannot tell a person what He wants until that person has been able to claim and assert his own will. Jesus said those words in the garden, but only after appealing to God to give him some other option. He was crystal clear about his own will.

You cannot give what you do not own, nor surrender control when you have never exercised it.

A little before 4AM yesterday, I went to the rumpus room to listen to the scripture on tape and to sleep. As I lay down I was talking aloud to God. As I sometimes do, I was voicing my displeasure with my many failings. For instance, I had still had not sent the card I have for my dear friend Dan regarding the loss of his mother. I said to God, “I don’t know why you put up with me.”

I reached to turn on the cassette player and thought, “Maybe He’ll tell me.” The first words I heard were from the last supper, spoken of John as he lay against Jesus, “… his disciple whom Jesus loved.”  Wow! Can it be that he loves me? John knew it and it emboldened him to move in close to the greatest love the world has ever known. That is exactly where I want to be and where I want to stay – leaning on Jesus. I love you, Lord. Thank you for putting up with me. Thanks for loving me.

When you serve false gods, there are rewards. Consider worshippers of the Canaanite gods, who enjoyed sexual acts as worship. Plus, Canaan enjoyed fruitfulness. Remember the prodigious produce brought back by the twelve spies? Still, there is a cost to serving false gods. They were the same gods that demanded the sacrifice of innocent children.

Sin falls hardest on those who look to us for care and protection. Sadly, the Canaanites put their own pleasure and prosperity over the wellbeing of their children. Even more tragic, though, is idol worship in our country, where we worship personal pleasure and prosperity at any cost. According to The State of Our Unions 2005, a report issued by the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents — the lowest figure in the Western world. Our children are being sacrificed at the altar of personal satisfaction.

Last evening Dr. Charles Lowery was speaking for Woodlands Church. My friend, Olive Moore was greeting folks as they entered the sanctuary. We chatted for a moment after the service began and she shared a powerful experience she had at Tres Dias at the end of February. It was during a prayer time in the chapel, when participants and leaders were praying for one another one on one. There was intense prayer and many tears. Olive wondered, “How can there be so much pain and so much love in one place and all at the same time?” It seemed inconceivable, and so ironic. But then she looked up and the cross caught her eye. Then it hit her full force, that’s what happened at the cross, when the depth of God’s love met the breadth of human suffering. It was the intersection of  humanity’s worst with the best God could give. When she shared the moment, it hit me as well: love flows freely into the depths of grief.

As I contemplated this truth, the words of an old song came to mind. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”-

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died;

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lord, let us enter the pain of others, confident we will find your love. As grace abounds to meet the full measure of sin, let love abound to meet the pain.

“I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts… How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”       John 5:41, 42, 44

In the wee hours of the morning when I listen to my audio Bible these words of Jesus brought speedy conviction. While I am beginning to share freely what God has given me, I still harbor concern for how other’s will judge my message. I do care that my writing and art reflect truth and beauty, that they flow from grace and peace; yet I wish to write for you, Lord, unmoved by praise or honor from men.

How will it happen? I am so entrenched in living for others. It is impossible for me to change that by my feeble effort; it is even hard to imagine being done with people pleasing. It is a gross defect of character, but I am willing that you remove it.

Jesus is right about me. The love of God is not yet full in me. Discontent, I still turn to nurse at other breasts. Pour in your love, Lord. Make it like a spring, fully satisfying forever. Turn to me as I turn to you.

Self esteem. Job had it. He was a righteous man, outstanding in character that God singled him before Satan and all heaven’s host. Who knows, maybe God enjoys bragging a bit when one of his kids excels. At any rate, Job had reason to feel good about himself. This was fortunate, because it gave him the temerity to stand firm in the face of his friend’s insinuations of wrongdoing and his wife’s encouragement to curse God and die. As importantly, though, Job had great esteem for God. In the face of all the evidence, Job still believed God was good and he took Him to task.

Eventually, God shows up. It is later than Job wished, but God arrives. Having given Job a chance to present his case, God speaks up. In no uncertain terms He reminds Job of His power, wisdom and glory, displayed throughout creation. He chides Job for believing he can counsel the Almighty. And by the time God finishes, Job’s self esteem has taken a beating.

Then Job replied to the LORD:

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”                                           Job 42:1-6

So what of self-esteem? What was the basis of Job’s feelings about himself from that day forward? He had seen God and found his own soul contemptible by comparison. At the end of the day, however, no one could deny, the God of the universe had visited. It was a moment Job would never forget: in the midst of his distress, God cared enough to come.

It is the same for us?  We have only one reason for feeling good about ourselves: into our messed up world, God sent his Son. In the midst of our distress, God cares enough to come.

How easily I fall into a pleasing mode! Like a child, I long desperately for approval, and at times I go to great lengths to get it. Even with God, I imagine doing some great thing to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” While God will judge every man’s actions, I know His work for us flows from acceptance and love, not offered as a bid for acceptance and love. It was, after all, before Jesus did anything in His ministry that the heavenly voice declared, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  –Luke 3:22

God, let me hear those words before I start my day. I want to hear them lying still under the covers, before doing anything. I want to hear them without regard to my performance and I want to say to you as well, “You are my Father, whom I love; with you I am well satisfied.” I want to say the words even when I see no immediate blessing or sign of your presence – even when, as Job found, all is ashes and dust.

Make the love between us full and free, a spontaneous brook flowing with laughter and song, an outpouring prompted by whatever brings the other to mind. When you think of me, Lord, think sweet and tender thoughts. When I think of you, it will be with rapture and worshipful adoration. Let there be nothing hard between us, only softness and playful rebuff. When I am angry with you, let me express it tones that give away the depth of my devotion. So, too, when angry with me, express it in the gentlest way. Burn away all that keeps me from you, while yet showing the warmth of your love.

Lord, see in me the Son you love, and let my heart abide in Him. As I love Him, so love me, but more.

Your life. What would change if you took each moment as God’s perfect provision, and assume at any instant that you have everything you need? What if you believed that even hardship and evil give your perfect opportunity to show love, declare faith, or grow strong?

When we belong to God, we receive all things from His hand. Even failure and bad decisions offer a path to wisdom and humility through repenting and turning to Him. Nothing is wasted in His economy; nothing is beyond redemption when given over to Him. Wake up to his grace today. Nothing need change for you to find peace.

Begin now accepting your current situation. Stop living in regret and discontent. Thank God that His arm is long enough to reach you, strong enough to save you. He is God regardless of circumstance. Open the door of your heart to Him. Invite Him to reign. Learn stillness. Learn rest.

Now look for the opportunity God is presenting. What door is open before you? Let him awaken courage, instill hope, promote joy. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and to lead you. Stop striving. Get in the flow of grace.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”                                                                                                      – Matthew 11:28-30

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.                                                                                                                    – Romans 8:28

Writing forces your brain to choose. When you journal, you must choose which thoughts you attend to. You decide to pursue certain lines of reasoning and to disregard certain random thoughts. If you are wise, you will purpose to give special focus to powerful emotions that arise, cultivating curiosity for what is underneath. As you write, you make decisions of word choice, sentence structure and syntax. It is good brain work, exercising your mind in several different ways. If you write where others may read, you are likely to exercise imagination by putting yourself in the place of the reader. You decide how to craft your words for a particular audience. I am beginning to love writing and the discipline it requires. I love sharing what goes on in my life and my head in the hope that it brings laughter or enlightenment. I want to provoke others to think and spur them to live an examined life. I wish for them to know the intimate life with God that I am finding. I want to challenge and inspire them to grow. I wish for all to live in peace and joy, in tune with the Spirit and exercising their gifts to the full. So if you want clarity, write it down!