An Invitation to Surrender, that brings the Revelation of the greatest Gift.
It never crossed my mind to experience such a love from the Father in my life this way. Neither did writing this post in a second language! Being honest, it’s not something I feel too confident doing. But, I have to admit that it’s exciting to share tiny bits of my heart with you.
So let’s get down to business:
As I allow myself to experience the love of the Father my heart is recognizing that we are a unique blend of temperament, giftedness, and life experiences. Therefore, our spiritual journey needs to be walked out in a very personal way with him. The more we fix our eyes on the path ahead of us, the more we will see the One who is for us and within us.
“The greatest battles are conquered in the heart.”
Often we think that we need to explain from our standpoint what life is to us and convince the people around us, however, every single person is on their own journey to become more like Christ, to imitate the Father. Jesus never had to make a point of something and never forced anyone to believe in him, and he was always slow to speak.
As we accept the invitation to surrender we come to the revelation of the greatest gift in life which is to know God and be known by him. And it is in this intimate place with him where some things are changed forever.
The Lord is opening my eyes to a new reality. I’m starting to understand that we are the message in this world because Jesus was it, and also now the mystery has been unveiled: CHRIST IN US.
[Read Ephesians 1:1’17]
What does that look like?
Quiet ourselves.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
[1 Kings 19:12 NKJV]
I had mastered in performance and religion, but that doesn’t work with God. I’ve been learning that He speaks when I come in a posture of listening. I believe now God knows best.
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
[2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV]
Present ourselves.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
[Romans 12:1’2 / 1 Corinthians 15:45’51 NKJV* I highly encourage you to read this other one too.]
Allow God to teach us the new standards.
Like I was saying in the beginning of this post, Jesus never forced anyone to accept his love but his words were merely an open invitation to see beyond our natural eyes:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
[Matthew 5:43’48 NKJV]
In this very same chapter a few verses above, Jesus is saying that he didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, and we can read through the whole chapter the heart of the Father wanting us to live in a higher standard because we can find him there.
Let me share with you my experience where I needed to apply this principle:
The Authority issue for example… (This wasn’t my favorite topic to talk about personally, and I’m pretty sure that was because of my orphan mindset)
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
[Hebrews 13:17 NKV]
Reading this and using the Father’s lens, we can see how new patterns are presented to us, and we can move forth to experience Obedience in a deeper and more powerful way because we understand that God has set this authority on our behalf to mold us into his image. We start to walk under a complete but wise submission.
We get to experience also Humility,leaving pride aside and putting ourselves in second place, forgiving the offense and being humble to ask for forgiveness.
Honor,we start to live by these standards doing everything knowing that God is who receives the glory on whatever we do.
We focus more on our Identity as a son/daughter who recognizes the need for interdependency.
No more self-pity/lone ranger schemes! That doesn’t work with God either.
We take heart to allow God to work in our Character through the processes that come with each season, which at the same time helps me to develop stability in my interpersonal relations.
We also get to understand that we are called to walk in Wholeness as active assets of his Kingdom, learning to guard everything that comes to our lives and hands.
Discipline, knowing that our authorities are continually helping us to mold the Christ in us weather through encouragement or correction, the benefit of this is to walk in confidence.
Real Love never exposes others; neither exposes their weaknesses and keeps us away from complaining about them.
As we walk in Truth we become life. Edifying with our lives every person we come to know.
As we are molded and polished into this new being, adopting the mind of Christ, we start to see ourselves differently and also those around us. And the privilege of coming before the Father gives us the opportunity to walk in the power that we were meant to walk since the very beginning of creation: Being mature sons and daughters that have a good Father that no matter the circumstances and having the confidence to come to him and converse with him.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
[Isaiah 1:18 NKJV]
We are meant to walk in the fruit of this relationship.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
[Galatians 5:22’23]
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
– Romans 8:19 –
Part V coming soon…
