While at debrief on the shores of the Indian Ocean I asked the Lord a simple question.
What does surrender look like for me?
The night before I sat and listened as squad mate after squad mate courageously came forward surrendering family, hopes, dreams, the future, desires, the past, and everything you can think of. I listened and was so proud of my friends for the beautiful things that God was doing in their lives. But as hard as I thought and prayed I just couldn’t figure out what if anything the Lord was calling me to surrender.
So, the next morning I took my bible, my journal, a couple of friends (per AIM rules) and headed toward my favorite place to clearly hear the Lord’s voice…the Ocean. As I watched the waves hit the shore and the sun rise above the clouds the Lord spoke to me and I recorded his freedom filled words in the pages of my journal and I want to share them with you. I pray that the Lord speaks to you through these words.
1/31/2018
Surrender is not focusing on the future. Surrender is not worrying about life after the race.
SURRENDER MEANS TRUST!
Trust that Jesus has it all under control. Trust that He knows where I will work and who I will marry, If I get married. Trust that family and friends that have yet to trust Jesus will someday. Trust that Jesus is ALWAYS enough. I surrender the future. I trust that Jesus can handle it. I trust in his faithfulness. I trust in His promises.
SURRENDER MEANS TRUST!
Surrender means trusting that God will give me visions. He will save lives that I get the chance to share the gospel with. He will heal people. He will make dry bones live again. I choose to trust that Jesus is working long after I leave a place. I trust in His faithfulness.
SURRENDER MEANS TRUST!
I’ve given these things to Jesus before, BUT today I choose to put them in a jar, hand them to Jesus, and break the jar so I can’t take them back again.
I choose FULL SURRENDER!
I CHOOSE TRUST!
That night our amazing coach got up to share with us and before he started he told us he felt like there was at least one more person that needed to share. Yep that was my cue! I took my journal to the front and shared what God had spoken over me that very morning and it was so freeing. There’s just something about sharing these moments with your community. I brought this surrender to the light and I invited accountability into my life. That is so important. If you find yourself in my position, I encourage you to share it with those you trust and that will hold you accountable. I am determined not to pick this jar back up. It’s shattered and isn’t mine anymore. I gave it to Jesus and that’s where it will stay! God is doing some big things in Africa! Lesotho is a beautiful country with some amazing people. Stay tuned next week for an update about our ministry and a glimpse into what God can do when you surrender and focus on what God is working in and around you!
This is my beautiful teammates writing the things that they surrendered and tossing them into the ocean. We prayed and let go of them together. What a moment! God is so good!
