Week #2 Abiding in Christ - A White Flag of Surrender

I had the most interesting conversation with a gentleman I volunteered alongside several months back. It caught me by surprise. This man felt hopeless and forgotten. He had pursued God in years past and now felt abandoned by God. The events in his life had not left him in a good place and he was tired of trying - very tired. He’d given up. I felt prompted to give him a copy of my “Abiding in Christ” book. Several weeks later I received a note from him saying he had read the book. He said, “the book is a perfect illustration of the way I lived from 2010-2012. I have been struggling to get back to that place. I sincerely hope that I’m going to be able to stop struggling and start back to abiding.”

I think I understand what that “place” is my friend was seeking to get back to. It’s that place where we can stop struggling and start to surrender. The word abide means to remain, continue, stay, dwell, submit to. When we realize that God is our only place of abiding, it makes all the difference.

In Psalm 46:10, God’s Word tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.” In this scripture, God is asking us to “take our hands off and relax,” or Stop. Enough! Cease striving. That sounds like the opposite of striving or struggling, and being in control, doesn't it? Let’s go a step further and picture this. Imagine yourself with a small square of white cloth (feel free to make yourself one). Your day has felt like one battle after another. You try, you fall further behind. You speak, you are misunderstood. You had hoped and you are disappointed. Yes, you are overwhelmed.

Raise your white flag up to the Lord. It’s what the losing side of a battle does when they have come to the end of themselves. They know they have been defeated and they surrender. But know this, you are losing NOTHING - when the One you are surrendering to is GOD ALMIGHTY. God made you and loves you and wants to be near you. He wants to walk closely with you.

Now speak the name “Jesus,” aloud. “Jesus, I need you. Help me.” There are no sweeter words to the Father. So feel no shame in waving your surrender flag. God knows your struggles already, but He waits for you to call out to Him and acknowledge your need for Him.

So what do you need to surrender to today?