Surrender
Can you surrender that which is most precious and dear to you?
“Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” – Matthew 19:21
Jesus calls His followers to give up everything to follow Him. Everything we hold most dear must in trust be given over to the care, love and providence of God. If we hold anything back we are like the rich, young man to whom Jesus spoke the above words.
“But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.” – Matthew 19:22
But, how can I give up caring for, praying for my daughter, my children, my grandchildren, my wife? How will God know what is needed if I don’t tell Him? It isn’t possible for me to give all care over to Him.
““With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:28
I am reminded of this moment in my life some 18 years ago. My daughter was just diagnosed and given a tough prognosis. Treatment hadn’t even begun yet. As I knelt before Jesus in the tabernacle, I cried out my prayers of fear, worry and need. Pure and perfect in many ways though I was venting to God my displeasure. The Father recognized my need and my heart in that moment. He responded in perfect love what I needed most at that time and the days ahead. He said “trust Me, I will take care of MY daughter.”
Trust!
He was calling me to lay my fears, worries and stress at His feet. He reminded me He IS the most loving of Fathers – bar none. He was simply saying trust Me in all that will come.
For we are assured, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
And, since we don’t even know what to pray for to along perfectly with God’s Divine Will, we must fully surrender to Him. We must trust that He knows what we need before we pray, before we even know to pray and most above our knowledge in the needs we express.