I Surrender All

In light of the spirit of Easter, I am once again reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever known to man. I am reminded of the meaning of the emblem I wear around my neck without second thought most days. I am reminded of the compassion of my Redeemer. I am reminded of the forgiveness of my Father. I am reminded of the love and grace of my Friend, my Brother. I am reminded of the strength and power of my God. I am confronted with the beauty that is Jesus.

I am also reminded of how the only reasonable response is complete and utter surrender at the foot of the cross. I am reminded of what this surrendering of self should look like as spoken ever so beautifully by Dick Brogden. Jesus does not need you! We are NOT needed, but we are invited. How wonderful is it that we are invited into this great love story, not only as the subjects, but also as participants, as carriers. Jesus invites us into the joy of spreading this life changing gospel. The only condition is complete and utter surrender. Take it or leave it, because Jesus "never has and never will negotiate terms." Negotiation asks for more and surrenders less. Negotiating with Christ says the cross wasn't enough and that we need more. It says that we won't give into His terms because we aren't willing to give what He asks. He asks for everything, and He is deserving of everything.

Now this sermon was spoken at a conference of college students dedicated to missions known as The World Missions Summit. Dick goes on to speak of what this surrender means and how we should carry the gospel to the world. It truly is a powerful and beautiful sermon that I encourage everyone to give a listen to.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."        ~ Matthew 16:24

Set Free for Freedom

"Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption." ~Psalm 130:7

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." ~Galatians 5:1

In my time spent with Jesus this morning, I read both of these verses. I would strongly encourage you to go through and read fully both Psalm 130 and Galatians 5 (or the whole book for that matter). Being that tomorrow is Easter, these verses seem to have even more significance. Last night, I was blessed to be able to worship God, take Communion, and witness six baptisms with a couple hundred people. It was truly spectacular, but in the midst of all this celebration, worship, and remembrance, I was struck by the simplicity of Paul's statement in Galatians 5:1.

It seems to be redundant and obvious but it couldn't be more profound. Christ did not come to set us free so that we might be ruled by the flesh (aka the world). He did not come to set us free so that we can focus our energies in school or a job. Christ set us free so that we can be free. He set us free so that we will not be under bondage of this world and it's constantly imposed legalism and requirements and duties and obligations. He set us free so that we can be WITH HIM. There is nothing of this world that will ever be more fulfilling than that.

CHRIST SET US FREE SO THAT WE CAN BE FREE.

Tree of Life

So today I was hanging outside in my hammock just thinking about God, and I got this great image. I saw this great, big tree and thought of how each and every one of us, when began our journey with God, were just a little twig on that tree. We couldn't really support anything, and every little breeze would make us sway. We were susceptible to fracture and from being separated from the tree, which stands for community. The community is what holds a new Christian up.

The thing is that it isn't feasible to remain a twig for very long. One day some little kid is going to come snap you off and use you as a sword. As a twig, you are vulnerable and susceptible to being broken off by any number of tragedies or difficulties in life. We must grow into something greater. We must grow into a thicker, stronger branch. Community isn't enough to do that. In order to move from a twig to a branch, we must feed on the Word, the Holy Scriptures. That is what gives us the nutrients to grow. Community can support you for a period of time, but it can't grow you, at least not on its own. The thing is, branches are still not very secure. Even the thickest are vulnerable to fracture. High winds can still snap you right off the tree. If a twig is a newborn believer, a branch is an adolescent. Branches still sway in the wind and are still fragile.

We must grow from a branch into the trunk. Now you are no longer being supported by the branches or the trunk, but you are the trunk. You are giving birth to new Christians and being their base and their support, for what good is a truck with no branches and a branch with no twigs? Ultimately though, the nutrients come from above and below, from the sunlight and the ground. None of it can be sustained without God. God is the earth and the sun. Surely even the mightiest trees fall. We are never free from being broken down. We are never free from attack. To think that nothing will ever shake you is arrogant and prideful. Even the mightiest fall (think of David for instance). That's why we must dig our roots deep into God. Even if somebody chops down the tree, the roots remain. Surely it hurts, but the earth and the sun aren't going anywhere. God is not going anywhere.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~Psalm 73:26

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in you name, for your name is good." ~Psalm 52:8-9

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." ~ Colossians 2:6-7