Have you surrendered every part of your life or are you still holding on to some parts of it?
I have always pictured a calm and collected appearance to be the look of being in control, but I was wrong. It seems that such a look is the picture of one who has surrendered all…
I like knowing what is coming, what is expected of me and what I should be doing, so when the unknown appears in my life, it often seems more daunting that what I am prepared to deal with.
We were driving to a birthday party over the weekend and on the radio the speaker asked whether or not you are in control of your house or whether you have surrendered your house completely to Christ. I wanted to say, “Yip, that’s me. I am the good girl who has surrendered everything. God is the doorkeeper of my house and nothing or no-one comes in without His approval, but…”
I know it is not the case.
Every now and then I catch myself holding on to some part for myself, whether my marriage, children, work or passions. I have this idea that for as long as I am in control everything would be okay, but life has taught me that is not the truth. The only times when I really had peace was not when I was taking care of my problems but when in spite of any chaos or storms I gave it to God and trusted Him to work it for my good.
As I pondered the question whether every part of my house has been surrendered to God – my bedroom, garage, living room, etc. it had me thinking.
This is my idea of what each room may represent:
Foyer – the door of entry – who do you give access to your life, heart and time? On what and whom do you spend most of your time? Have you ever tried to give the door to your life, heart and time to Christ and ask Him to be Your Doorkeeper? Matthew 6:33 tells us that if we seek first Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added to us. If we give God the first place in our lives, everything else will fall into place, even though it may not always feel that way. Trust Him to guide you into who and what you allow into your life. You may be saved from unnecessary disappointment and failures.
Living room – the place where you relax, rest and recharge. We all need a break at times. The rat race we see happening every day will continue for as long as we are here, but we do not need to be exhausted by it. Instead of determining our rest on our own methods, how about trying to rest in the Lord and ask Him to recharge your mind, body and spirit. The life He gives is one of a kind.
Kitchen – the place where you make preparation and serve. Who do you serve? The Lord, people or your own desires? Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Doesn’t that thought inspire you to do the same? We all serve something or someone one way or the other, whether it is Christ, yourself, your family, your boss or your work. You serve. Have you given your servant hood to Christ and let Him guide you to whom you should serve. As you follow Jesus’ guidance you will be energized and not drained from serving others.
Bedroom – your personal life and intimacy. This is the deepest part of your being. Have you moved towards an intimate relationship with Christ where you have surrendered every part of yourself to Him? Have you accepted Christ’s love for you and your identity in Him? Surrender your personal life, deepest desires and hunger for intimacy to Him and He will satisfy your needs.
Guestroom – your relationships with friends and family and any other person you may encounter. Are you the master of your relationships? Do you decide who you entertain or do you prayerfully consider who God wants in your life? Every relationship has its ups and downs. Do you try and fight your own battles—a difficult child, or colleague or spouse or do you surrender them to Christ and declare Him Lord over your relationships? Let God guide you into relationships He orchestrated for you and let Him maintain and keep them for as you continually surrender them to God.
Bathroom – your disappointments, failures, pain and guilt. We have all made many mistakes in life and we will still fail and cause hurt in the future. We are human, but it does not have to be a hopeless situation. We can surrender even this part of our lives to Christ and He can turn it into a learning curve and opportunity to grow in our characters and in Him.
Garage – Your baggage or storage room. What baggage are you carrying around with you? Are you defined or limited by your baggage? Do you allow your heart to be a place to store unforgiveness? Why don’t you surrender your baggage to Christ and let Him carry it for you. Let Him lighten your burden. He can turn your baggage and turn them into blessings as He continues to write His story through you and show you the way through.
Garden – Your passions and dreams. Do you pursue your own passions or dreams or do you pursue what God has in store for you? There is freedom when we are walking in tune with Jesus’ purpose for our lives. As we surrender our passions and dreams to Jesus, we will find purpose in His presence and everything we touch will be good as He is with us. No effort will go unnoticed but will be perfected as His grace overflows everything we do.
Now, have I surrendered every part?
It is an on-going process.
The question I would like to ask you is, “Have you surrendered every part of your house?”