Joining the party a little late, as usual. Many people have thrown out their “WORD” for the year. Here’s mine: Trust and Surrender. Yes, I realize it is two words, but I have learned that you cannot have one without the other.
Near the end of World War II, Germany had depleted its number of fighting-age men. The long war and a Second Front left them with little choice but to give rifles to anyone, including boys and scientists. The latter didn’t join up willingly. At the first site of conflict, they laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Allied Forces. It appears they trusted being in the hands of the Allies more than under the thumb of the Nazi Regime.
Their surrender brought freedom and, for many, a new home in the United States of America. Their expertise launched NASA with a far better goal than what they once served.
Christians face the same dilemma. We can stay where we are, unhappy that life is not what we want. Or we can surrender to what is good and have the life that only God can provide.
Under our own power, evil will tempt us to choose anything that makes us feel good. The devil will tell you that money, love, power, possessions, or any earthly thing will fill that hole in your heart.
It took a scientist to tell us that the devil misses the mark. You will, too, if you believe his lies. The hole is God-Shaped; only He can fill it. Enter scientist Blaise Pascal, who wrote in 425 AD:
“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and
immutable object; in other words, by God himself.”
Strip down all the things we seek; one thing is the same. We all desire love. The Bible tells us, “God is Love”. In 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, we learn its definition:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails.”
If that is the definition of love, and God is love, then He is all of those and more. He fills the hole in our hearts with His patience, kindness, humility, honor, truthfulness, protection, trust, hope, perseverance, and unfailing love.
Trust and Surrender don’t come naturally to me or anyone. Even those German scientists probably feared what could happen if they did. Trust and Surrender led the Germans to a better life. God wants the best life for us, one with Him here and in eternity. God’s love makes letting go easier. In letting go, we will have all our hearts seek HIM.
IT'S A HARnDen LIFE... 