Full Surrender Required

It's funny to read those words. The words "Full Surrender Required", I never knew what those words meant until I met Jesus. I never knew what following Him would cost me everything I thought I loved. I thought I loved money, and drugs, and sex, and the toxic nature of casual relationships. I never knew what real love looked like until Jesus took me by the hand and washed my sins away. He cleaned me up right where I was. I didn't need to get clean to come to Christ. He wanted me at my lowest. He wanted me when I didn't want to live. He wanted me even when I thought I ruined my life. Jesus was always there waiting for me. He's waiting for you too friend.

The thing about Jesus is, He loves us sinners. He loves those who don't love themselves. He sees those who believe they are unseen. He hears your cries for help and waits for your heart to match your words. Those of you who want to quit drinking but can't, He is waiting for you to really be done. He is waiting for you to reach your rock bottom, so He can scoop you up in His arms and carry you to real freedom and peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus is isn't waiting for you to clean yourself up, that's not how real love works. He waits for you destroy yourself enough to know you can't get clean on your own, then He comes in all His kind glory to wipe your tears and hold you at your worst moments. Jesus knows you can't do it alone, but He is a gentlemen and will not pressure you to come home to Him.

That's what I love about Jesus. He is a real friend. While you are out there living in sin, He is in the heavenly realm praying for you. He sends His angels to protect you even while you are destroying the promise He placed on the inside of you. Yes, you will fall. And yes, bad things will happen, but you cannot blame God for that. If you get yourself in a pickle, that's on you. He will still be with you though, getting you through to the end. Unless of course, you spend your days denying His existence. In that case, He will let you bury yourself, until you are ready to come back home to Him. When that day comes, Jesus is running toward you to meet you halfway. Life after that moment will not be the same. That's when the full surrender comes in.

Life following Jesus requires full surrender to His will and His way. I have reached a point in my life where I am ready to give my all to be with Christ. I don't care about my life if it doesn't have Jesus in it. Life is meaningless without Christ. Yes, I have a husband and children that mean a lot to me, but that is all pointless if I don't have Christ. I am willing to give it all up for Jesus, because I know what He gave up for me. He died on the cross for me. He took a beating that would've killed me instantly because He loves me. He was mocked, spit on, ridiculed, all on my behalf and yours. Christ's death was brutal and He did it because He loves us. He watched me ruin my own life, and waited for me to need Him. He protected me from severe damages. I would've killed myself a few times if Christ wasn't protecting me. I remember driving home drunk, falling asleep, and almost totaling my car but Christ took the wheel, and I made it home safely. I owe Jesus everything, and I will gladly give Him all I have and then some, because He is worthy of it all.

Following Christ means you give up your will for His. It means obeying Him in every way. It means denying yourself and carrying your cross after Him. It isn't lightwork, it's heavy. It's soul searching, it's being tossed in the refining fire , it's letting God prune you until you look like His Son. Following Christ requires full surrender. You are no longer in control, God is.

Are you ready for that?