Surrendered and Surrounded
At the time of this writing, I was 3/4 the way through the allegory Hinds' Feet on High Places. This allegory, wherein the main character is a crippled girl named, Much-Afraid, is an eye opening picture of our personal growth with Jesus and brings to light an understanding of the purpose behind the hard places in life. As I often say, "Life is a lot!" After reading this allegory I am adding to that quote. "Life is a lot, but we are never alone, so hallelujah anyway."
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all of your ways. Psalm 91:11
Surrendering our lives to Christ does not mean life will be a breeze. Our world is filled with sin and a real enemy who is constantly finding ways to bring us DOWN.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8
But as told in this story, when we call upon Jesus, when we seek Him, we will hear from him and experience his mercy and grace.
Reading this book led me to a really impactful exercise I want to encourage you to try. Take a moment and sketch a simple outline on paper that represents peaks and valleys. Draw at least 5 of each and then label some of the peaks and valleys in your life.
One was when in 1984 when my husband had to surrender his successful business to a partner who was in financial trouble. It was a devastating time, but God used that lost to bring my husband into a life changing relationship with Christ, which has blessed our family and brought glory to God.
Another valley was in 1987 when my brother drown. His son came to live with us and came into accept Jesus as Savior, before he died in 1999.
In every valley I recorded, I could see amazing grace and personal growth.
There are some struggles currently and I don't know when or how we will see the victory, but through the power of the Holy Spirit I am asking to be equipped to surrender to the process and LOOK UP with an attitude of surrender and remember we are surrounded by angel armies and the eyes of Jesus himself are upon us. God will make a way to the next mountain top. From my life's experiences, I can pretty much guarantee you it will not be in a way you ever dreamed up yourself!
The Song
"Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me" City Alight
