Abiding in Him

Simple statement. I have been blown away this week by the utter joy and peace that is found in the Lord in spite of exhaustion, transition, and busyness.

I feel like more often than not, by the time I'm getting ready to do my devotions and go to bed, I decide that I'm too tired, or I put minimal effort into it. And instead of spending time with God, I'm just reading words on a page and writing out a routine prayer of thanksgiving and requests. I'm not actually spending time with the God of the universe and the lover of my soul. Sure, He's there. He always is. But I'm not--mentally, emotionally or spiritually.

I've been so refreshed this week by the reminder that God is utterly LONGING for me to come to Him. To get to know him. To search His heart and find everything I've ever needed. Every need met. Think about that. EVERY NEED MET. Can you imagine having every single one of your emotional needs met in a day? And He doesn't just stop with our emotional needs! There are so many things God takes care of that we aren't even aware of. Like breathing. Every need met. What a beautiful relationship, just waiting for us to come and take part in it.

This week I've been trying to surrender my plans and my desires to God's design and timeline. I end up taking it all back into my own hands quite frequently. But what I'm realizing is that that's when the frustration and discontent creep up on me. I start to run ahead of God, if not in my actions, then definitely in my thoughts. I compare my life to those around me and I start to de-value what God has blessed me with, and the stage of life that I'm in right now. Nothing brings discontentment and unhappiness like comparison! I have decided that it's one of the most obnoxious evils in my world.

Have you ever realized the complete freedom that comes with surrender? Taking your foot of the gas, giving God the controls. It is so liberating! I think the key to that is trust. If I trust that God is who He says He is, that He is good, and He is love, and that He has a plan. I think of Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." and Jeremiah 29:11-13 (The Message) "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 'When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

I know the Message is paraphrased, but it is SO soaked in truth. DUDE! What incredible promises! These two verses are quoted so frequently for a reason. They are so full of hope and care and love. He PROMISES to take care of us! Why wouldn't I let Him? Depending on myself is so frustrating! It's like that verse about the clay saying to the potter, "What are you doing? Why are you making me like this?" We put ourselves in God's place every time we question what He's doing, or try to do things our own way. How arrogant is my heart to think I can run my life better than God? And how completely sad that I try to most of the time.

Surrender is such a beautiful thing. It comes from a place of complete trust, and through it comes a wonderful, satisfactory peace. I don't have to worry about what's going to happen with that application, because I can ask God to take care of the outcome. And He will, for my good and His glory. I don't have to stress over what I'm gonna do when I graduate. I can ask God to prepare it in advance, and let me in on the secret when He knows I'm ready. And He will, for my good and His glory. When I'm not wasting time worrying about all the little details of my life, I have so much more time to spend abiding in Him, trusting Him, falling more in love with my Savior, and walking through my day with Him by my side.

I have found absolutely nothing better in life than walking through my day with Jesus Christ by my side.