Jonah 2:9 “But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD.”
How far does God have to go to get your attention? I wish I could say I responded to His every whisper, but that would be a gross untruth. Sometimes, He has to shout and clang pots in my ears and throw all sorts of banana peels in my path just to get me to stop and pay attention to Him.
I guess I’m a lot like Jonah. He had to spend a few nights in smelly, slimy fish guts to finally surrender to God. Yet, he did surrender. And when he surrendered, he felt such relief that he began to sing and praise and thank God.
Friends, why do we fight so hard against God? He loves us. He wants only what is best for us. But we run and kick and scream and fuss and holler. We want our own way, even when our own way leads us away from the good things God has for us.
I have learned, and am still learning, that there is joy in surrender. Total, complete surrender to God brings freedom. It brings healing. It brings joy, and puts a song in our hearts.
My goal is to reach the point of surrender before I wind up in the fish guts of life. But even then . . . oh, even then my friend . . . surrender is sweet.
Dear Father, I surrender. I praise You, I thank You for Your goodness, and I surrender to whatever You have for my life.
Amen
the only prayer i’ve ever prayed that was harder than this for me was the prayer for Him to show me the areas He needs to heal within me…but that is part of the overall surrender.
surrender is so hard~ we keep taking things back…that’s why He tells us to pick up our crosses daily, because surrender is daily (hourly, minute-ly for me!)
hugs to you!
Hugs to you, too, Bello! I agree. It’s much easier to say the words, “I surrender,” than it is to actually stay surrendered. I’m so glad He’s a patient God!
Hey, Renae!
I’m hoping you are OK!
Perhaps you are just taking a break!
Just busy and flu-ey. Not a good combination. 🙂 Hugs to you, friend!
Oh! I’m so relieved! I’m not a huge commenter but I do keeps tabs on you from afar! 🙂 But the sicky-icky stuff can be a drag and also of deep concern these days! Praying for y’all.