“. . .Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
If those words really are true, then the only way that you and I can go to a whole ‘notha level is by surrendering.
Ever seen an action-packed warrior flick? You know the bad guys vs. the good guys? Hollywood never makes surrendering look good. In fact, our society says surrender is a sign of defeat, weakness, and failure. That’s not what James 4:10 says though. This verse tells us that getting on our knees in surrender to the God of the universe is the only way we can stand back up. That sounds pretty serious. The only way? No plan B? Seriously? Yep.
James 4:10 in its entirety says, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” This verse just hits me square in the face. God is telling us that in order to go to a whole ‘notha level we need to get vulnerable before Him….and quite honestly, that’s pretty hard. His Word says to quietly say “yes” to Him and loudly say “no” to the devil. He tells us to purify our hearts and cry our eyes out. God whispers to you and me….”Baby girl, it’s time to get serious. It’s time to grow up.”
I don’t like vulnerability. I like genuineness, but vulnerability can hurt. It leaves you out there without the 100% guarantee that you will be loved back. At least that’s what we experience on earth. In God’s arms though, we can experience something quite different–if we allow ourselves to.
Truly beginning to grow up in Christ means laying it all before Him….your pain, grief, sadness, hurt, anger disappointment, happiness, joy, dreams, failures, successes, mistakes, victories…everything. Take it all to Him and leave it at His feet. When we lay our lives at the foot of His altar, we don’t have to worry about carrying ourselves because we allow Him to pick us up and carry us through anything that comes our way. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” There is a God who is so crazy, madly in love with you that He will fight for you–and already has on the cross! God sent His only Son to die for you! He loves you that much!
Christ’s amazing love for me quite honestly leaves me speechless. I don’t even know how to wrap my mind around it. Each and every day I am trying to let this awesome truth that the God who created that big, beautiful sunshine out there & flung the stars in the sky was so crazy in love with me, an ordinary, simple girl, that He chose to die for me. Wow. I don’t know how I can’t get on my knees in surrender to Him. When we truly begin to grasp that truth–of His all-powerful, never-ending love for us–then we can truly begin to bow in surrender.
Why not start wherever you are at right now? Kneel before His throne room and get vulnerable before Him. He already knows exactly where you are at and what you are going through–and He still passionately loves you. Start to grasp that & out of the fullness of your heart worship Him in surrender. Get on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
(Photo courtesy of Megan Mercier)
