SURRENDER ISN’T DEFEAT, IT IS VICTORY WHEN WE SURRENDER TO THE LORD

BIBLE PASSAGE:
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing
greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost
all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.
(Philippians 3:8)

MEDITATION:
We often wonder why so many in the world
cannot believe in, and commit their lives to the Lord.
Since the world is all about ‘checks and balances’, it can be difficult for some
people to realize and accept the fact that the Lord would do so much for us,
without expecting anything in return, except our love, faith and service.
As a result of the world’s influences, millions of people will
never know Him and the blessings He provides to those who love Him.

But, you know what, there are many who claim to be His followers
who have not surrendered to Him completely.
Many have decided to compromise their faith
and continue holding on to some of the things of the world.
Surrendering to the Lord is not a multiple choice, it is either a “yes” or “no”.

It can astound us whenever we see someone far away from the Lord, who
completely ‘flips’ their life when they suddenly receive His gift of salvation.
The dramatic change in their life is noticeable by everyone else.
Paul was so far from the Lord that he was persecuting those who believed in Him.
However, when Paul’s heart was changed by the Lord, He surrendered his all.

He got it! He understood the magnitude of his gift from the Lord!
Paul made a choice to be as diligent in serving the Lord,
as he was in persecuting Christians before his conversion.
He realized the gifts and talents the Lord had given him, and dedicated
himself to using them for praising, honoring, and serving the One who saved him.

It was a quantum leap for Paul to give up his stature and prestige, and all
it encompassed (money, power, etc.), in order to become useful for the Lord.
Even though he was often persecuted for his decision,
he never wavered in his commitment.

Why? Because he realized the insignificance of the things he thought were
important, and embraced the incredible gift he had received from the Lord.
Look at how he described the things that were no longer important to him.
He called them “rubbish”, which means he considered them “nonsense”.

From a logical or intellectual viewpoint, Paul realized
he had been ‘majoring’ on the ‘minors’ in his life,
but from a heart standpoint, he had an overwhelming ‘attitude of gratitude’.
He knew the things that were once important to him
were standing in the way of, “knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord”.

If any of these obstacles remained, he knew he would know Christ
less than he could (or should), so he ‘threw out the garbage’.
Paul is an excellent example of what happens to the heart
of someone when they totally surrender to the Lord.

C.S. Lewis is a more recent example;
he made the pilgrimage from atheism to Christianity.
He spent his life exploring the great literature of the centuries and his
turning point came when he realized that ‘the writing with the deepest
meaning and greatest content was based on a deep, personal faith in God’.

When his heart was changed, he was no longer dedicated to proving the
fallacy of the scriptures, but instead became an advocate of God’s Word.
Paul and C.S. Lewis show us what it means to ‘surrender’ to the Lord.

ACTION:
How has the Lord changed your heart?
What ‘things’ do you now considered as ‘rubbish’?
Are you still holding on to anything prior to your encounter with the Lord?
What are you doing for Him today which leaves no doubt in the minds
of others that you have made a total commitment to serve your Creator?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, it is humbling to me whenever I read about others
who have totally committed their lives to You. Forgive me for holding
on to anything from my previous life that should be considered rubbish.
Create in me a grateful heart that is willing to serve You in whatever
capacity You have chosen for me. There is nothing more I desire,
Lord Jesus, than to walk closely with You, my Savior and Lord.”

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