The second stage of surrender is to be obedient to God’s Will. Being His obedient servant.
This is more active. The first stage is seeing God in everything that happens in our life. This second stage is actually doing God’s Will. We are obediently carrying out what He wants us to do.
When I look back over the past two decades, I am humbled to see a life of obedience. I wasn’t necessarily seeking God’s plan in my actions. But, what I was doing is simply saying “yes.” When a situation that God out before me, I just said “yes.” I don’t question how or why. Just “yes.”
I could point to dozens of situations that God called and I responded with a “yes.” Without realizing fully, I was doing God’s plan. It didn’t matter where the next step led me, it was this moment and this yes that mattered.
I came to realize this when I was asked to be interviewed to be ministry head for the Men’s Emmaus. My first thought was that I am not worthy nor do I have the talent. But, God told me none of that mattered. So, how could I say anything but “yes”? It turned out the interview by the pastor was not an interview but an appointment. God had put upon his heart that I was the one He had selected. Afterwards, stunned. I went to my car. I reached to start the engine and paused. I looked up to the clear blue sky, and asked, “I didn’t want this, Lord. How did I even get here?” To which He replied, “you said yes.”
Being an active player in God’s plan, being obedient to His Will isn’t about knowing what’s next or where this Road of Faith is leading, it is simply about saying “yes.”
Even this blog, The Road of Faith, is a simple ‘yes.’ In this as in my book, ‘I Knew His Voice’, my “yes” to do as God asks despite or maybe because of my unworthiness has blessed me in countless ways. I’ve had the opportunity to share our story in the book, but more so to hear from others of their story of God’s actions in their life. I’ve been able to talk to others who were struggling with faith by using some of the wisdom God shared with me over the years outlined in the book as well as the many reflective moments on those days, including of writing it. Same as this blog, I’ve come to realize my gifts and God’s nearness, to ‘hear His voice’ every day I write and post a reflection. And, I’ve chatted with people from all around the globe about their struggles and their Road of Faith.
Take the next step to surrender – be obedient and say “yes.”