This past Sunday our youth pastor spoke on the power of the cross. Since the beginning of lent, our church has been on a journey of contemplating the cross. It has been wonderful.
One of the scriptures he read caught me off guard. Now, I've read it many times before, but never from The Message version.
Here are the words of Jesus from Matthew 16
24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
There were 2 statements that hit me like a huge ocean wave, not like a brick, but a wave that washes me onto my back in surrender.
The first thing that struck me was when Jesus said:
You're not in the driver's seat, I am.
My head knows this to be true and yet my soul man often fights against it. I THINK I like being in the drivers seat. Why, because then I can navigate and keep myself safe by my "good driving"
After I heard this, I began to imagine myself being driven around, maybe down roads that I wouldn't choose, or in busy traffic, or at a speed that I don't like.
How many of you know what I mean? They call us back seat drivers. We find it hard to trust the driver and could probably wear a spot in the floor when we press our invisible break that we use each time we feel unsafe with our "driver".
Reality is though, I hate how I feel when I'm in control. Its too much work, too much to look out for, and requires me to live in bondage to fear and doubt.
Giving over control to Christ, according to the bible, requires sacrifice. I love how Jesus said,
Follow me, and I'll show you how.
Now, after reading this, I breathe deeply, and let go of control as I breathe out.
I am not alone in this.
He will show me how to let go. All I have to do is follow Him. He always longs to lead us, if we, but listen, let go, and follow.
Next post, I'll write about the other thing that stood out to me in this scripture, but for now, I leave you with this song from Misty Edwards.
Finally, I Surrender.
6 comments:
Hi Cheryl...I love that song and your post...thanks.
You have given me much to think about.
Love you!
Holly
Great post Cheryl!!
Such great thoughts, Cheryl. I really get it when you say you don't like the feeling of being in control either.... so why do I keep trying?! We're funny people - -
I want to picture myself calmly and joyfully being driven around... no matter what the roads are like!
I like that picture.
thanks
xo
Love Misty Edwards!! Miss you lots already even though I just saw you on Sunday!!
I Cheryl...I am catching up on bloglife...love that song!:o) Looking forward to your next post.
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