Wow... I think this has been my favorite chapter so far!! Some C.S. Lewis (one of my favorites!), some great quotes!, so much truth! One word that sums up this chapter... "SURRENDER!"
God wants your life... all of it! It takes more trust and strength to surrender completely than to try and control your life yourself. When you surrender to God, that means you obey. I love the comment, "you can't call Jesus your Lord when you refuse to obey Him!" "It's when we try to be God that we end up most like Satan, because he desired the same thing." The decision to surrender to God will be tested. That is why Paul said, "I die daily." He knew that he must surrender every day... "If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to Chaos." Be prepared, Satan (chaos) will whisper in your ear, "Don't be weak! Don't be a wimp! Take control of your life! Don't listen to anyone else!! Don't surrender!!"
Warren tells us "You know when you are surrendered when you don't react to criticism and rush to defend yourself."
I also think about how we are fighting against God because of our sin. True repentance is exactly what this chapter is about... stop fighting God... lay down your weapons... surrender to Him. You don't lose when you surrender... quite the contrary!!
My prayer for myself and for all of us... "Heavenly Father, give us the strength to surrender to you.. every day... AMEN!"
I am losing count how many times I have had to tell myself to surrender today - this concept applies to everything - and my awareness of how I struggle to be in control is growing by the minute!
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