“There is a time for everything, and a session for eery activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time…
Tag: Surrender
Spiritual maturity looks far different from physical maturity. It’s hands outstretched to receive prison guard or pauper attire. Feet set to follow a path to a place undesired. Spiritual maturity means saying ‘yes’ even when we are wholly unsure about the outcome or dreading the next temporary destination. The relationship with our God always trumps the unpleasantness of our circumstances. We trust our Father to take us Home and we will endure whatever might bring Him glory between here and there.
I have long viewed Herod as an ugly exaggeration of our worst selves: egocentric, paranoid, destructive – an unchecked narcissist at full steam. But today I noted how Herod struggled with the same surrender we all battle. When Jesus is born into our lives, the right response is abdication of our throne. Anything less is a coup and counterproductive to the Kingdom.
Mary allowed the Lord to ident her life in new and uncomfortable ways. She surrendered her uterus; dare I say the most intimate part of the female frame? She allowed God to have His way with her heart and He left an exquisite impression upon it.
I don’t know about you, but ‘subverting’ isn’t a word I employ on a regular basis. Whenever I encounter an unfamiliar word in scripture, I look it up to ensure accurate understanding. ‘Subvert’ does not disappoint.
Our flesh fights it, but there is great freedom in submission.
“Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow, where nettles grew, myrtle will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of His love and power.” (Isaiah 55:13 NLT) We’ve been taking about growth…
Though Judas had followed Jesus for years, he still maintained a personal agenda. He helped himself.
There is no neutral territory: no Switzerland for the soul. The soil of our heart will be won over.