Surrender

In Luke 9:1-2 (ESV) says, “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” For the first time in the disciples following of Jesus, He sent them out to do what He had been modeling in front of them. He gave them the authority and power to do the works. Instead of walking beside Jesus, He would be working in them. They initially responded to His call when He asked them to leave what they were doing a follow Him. In Luke 9 He is also calling them.

Often in our lives we confuse Christ’s calling with the assignment of a specific task. We are called everyday to surrender our lives to His will, whatever it may be. Often we surrender to a task not necessarily a calling. We may feel like God is calling us to work in prison ministry, children’s ministry, to preach, to pastor, or to be a missionary. Sometimes we get hung up on task. People often say I am not sure what God’s will is for my life.

I have to daily remind myself that I am not surrendered to a task, but to a Savoir who loves me and died for me so that I could experience true life. Today I would like to remind you of the same. Jesus is calling you and I not to surrender to an assignment but to Him. Maybe some of us will be doing one task for our entire lives, like pastoring the same church. Sometimes we find security in thinking we have one task assigned to us, and it will never change.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.” So, my challenge to you today is to surrender to Him with abandon! Daily I find myself surrendering to Him. I am not surrendering to missions, a church, or a specific task but to my Savior. That is true joy!

- Cathy Vaughn