SURRENDER YOUR WAY
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Have you ever dealt with someone who has a my way or the highway mentality? To be gracious, it’s nice sometimes to interact with someone who is passionate about their position and can communicate what they believe. On the other hand, when someone is so entrenched that they can’t even consider that their way might be suboptimal or completely wrong, it can be quite difficult. And when two of those people get together—watch out!
The truth is we’ve all been that person at some point. We believe that our way is the right way. We demonstrate this when we deviate from what God’s Word instructs. When we go our own way, we reveal our lack of trust in the Lord. We’re saying that we think we know better than our very Creator.
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. There is no other name by which we can be saved. That means He gets to determine the boundaries and what is true. We live in a day and age when truth is deemed relative, and seemingly no absolutes are left. But that’s simply not the case. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That means what He set down as truth in His Word thousands of years ago has not shifted.
So, let us trust Him. Rather than relying on our own cunningness, cleverness, or understanding, let’s rely on Him. Before we consult with our social media followers or coworkers, let’s consult the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is faithful—when we seek His way, He will guide our path. Consider the following from Timothy Keller: It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you. Strong faith in a weak branch is fatally inferior to weak faith in a strong branch.
The object of our faith is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us not have strong faith in our own way but instead trust in Jesus.
APPLICATION: What decision have you been processing through this season? Have you sought the Lord in this? Ask God to show you the path.
PRAYER: God, help me to surrender to Your way. I want You to order my steps and guide my path. Help me to remain faithful to You and Your Word even when everything around me pulls in the opposite direction. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?