A special welcome to those of you visiting from (in)courage today! God taught me the joy of surrender, but later He showed me the blessing of surrender.
When Jesus asks us to pick up our cross and follow Him, we do so knowing the burdens will be heavy.
We take one step at a time, sometimes tumbling down from the weight of it all and dragging that cross to who knows where.
In bearing the cross, we intimately connect with the suffering of Jesus Christ. A paled suffering, but burdensome nonetheless.
Then we forget.
In the midst of decisions, cloudy roads and turbulent wanderings, we forget the cross was resurrected.
We forget about the victory that we WILL indeed have in Christ, in His time, in His way.
A victory just beyond the bend in the road.
I forgot.
We surrendered a small part of our lives, my vehicle, and then we went on with life.
I stumbled over coordinating schedules, leaving the house an hour earlier than normal to drop my husband off at work, timing bus schedules, putting air in bicycle tires, maneuvering a truck in small parking lot spaces, and so on.
I forgot about the joy that comes in full surrender and I just survived.
Then something unexpected happened.
God resurrected our cross.
We fully expected to pay additional thousands to the bank after our car sold at auction. A brand that no one wanted to buy because of historic recalls and looming fraudulent business practices.
Yet, a month later, a blessing was deposited into our bank account.
A bank account that was closed.
When we called to check on the account, we discovered the bank attendant was amazed at the leftover funds from a van that sold at a greater price than expected.
During a time of tremendous trial, Job was given a word:
"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.” (Job 37:14)
In trials and tribulations, let us remember His good works. The ones too numerous to count.
In defeat, recount the victory already promised to us.
In carrying the cross, let us wait in anticipation for the resurrection.
In surrender, let us rejoice in the blessing that follows.
God never asks us to give up something He doesn’t plan to return in spiritual abundance.
We don’t have another car, but in exchanged for voluntary surrender I encounter a sanctuary of praise and worship when the four become one in spirit.
And that alone makes it all worth it.
This week I'm sharing thoughts on gratitude. Don't miss GIFTED: 12 Days of Handmade launching December 1st and PLANTED Bible Study series launching February 1st. Subscribe now to receive posts via email or rss feed.
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Today's post inspired by:
