As we get ready to begin our third day without power, I am reminded of what powerlessness really feels like. It’s not everyday that I have the opportunity or misfortune (depending on your point of view) to experience being truly “out of control.”
Being without power can be kinda scary. Not scary – like oh no, I’m afraid I’m going to die!… but it gives you a weird or unusual feeling. We are so conditioned to be in control of everything – from the lights in our home to every pre-meditated activity. On a daily basis, we get to choose what we want, when we want, how we want, for as long as we want, with whomever we want, where we want. As Americans we decide our daily destiny – we are in control. We have such freedom.
But today, I don’t get to choose. I am being affected by my life circumstances and I must adjust, react, respond accordingly. I can’t just “do” what I want. I must surrender to the situation around me and do what I need to do to survive.
Surrender… control… common themes in the life of a Christian. Themes that I think set us apart from other religions. As Christians, we are given power by God, who gave up everything for us, to FREELY CHOOSE to love Him. We are not forced to serve Him. We are not required to do anything. We have the power to choose… to choose love, or to turn away.
And as we use this choice, this power, this freedom to CHOOSE to love God, to choose to give our lives to Him, to choose to serve Him because of our overwhelming love for Him… we choose to ultimately surrender to Him, to His will for us, to His plan.
It’s seems crazy, almost ironic – but it’s perfect irony – God’s wisdom… that we are given this power, choice, freedom so we can be voluntary lovers of God – free to choose to give up our power – to give the power back to God and to rely on Him completely.
How amazing? That the God of the Universe loves us so much that He would give up everything for us and in response we would choose to give it all back to Him out of our true love and devotion. A beautiful love story.
As I sit in the dark with no power wondering how long the battery on my laptop will last, I’m experiencing a familiar feeling. A feeling I remember as a child when I would be resting in Daddy’s arms as he carried me in from the car. After a long car trip, late at night, I would always pretend to be in a deep sleep so he would carry me up to my bed. I loved the feeling of being carried. I was completely safe, without a care, resting in my father’s arms – knowing that I would end up secure in my cozy bed. I wasn’t worried about a thing. I wasn’t unsure that he’d make it or wonder if he’d get lost. I knew HE was a good daddy and that he would put me exactly where I needed to be.
I think that’s the key to truly surrendering to God – you have to know who you Daddy is. If we are unsure that He really has our best interest at heart – or if it’s impossible for us to trust Him (b/c of past hurts by our own dad), we will struggle to “stay asleep” in his arms. We will choose to keep our eyes wide open – choosing with our freedoms to lead our own lives and remain in complete control. A choice He gives us.
I’m not saying that we don’t still have to make decisions and choices even after we surrender to God, of course we do. But I believe that if we surrender our lives to Him and willingly invite Him to carry us, we will have easier decisions and better outcomes than when we were carrying the full weight of our lives all by ourselves. And the best part is, that if we really trust Him, we can be confident that the decisions we make when we are surrendered to His will, will be better than we could ever imagine (maybe different - but for sure better.)
I love the scripture that I think illustrates this point - "Lean NOT on your OWN understanding, but in ALL your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him and He will make your path STRAIGHT." Look to Him, surrender to His will and your life will be so much better than if you chose to do it your own way.
I think it’s good for me to be sitting here in the dark. Being without power can be a great time to rest in His arms. Jesus, I choose to surrender my life to you again – completely. Take control of me – every area of my heart and carry me wherever YOU want me to go. I trust you. I trust you want what’s best for me. I trust I will end up exactly where I need to be.
becoming powerless… by choice.
