Redeemed...and Surrendered

I was invited to participate in a 10-day Scripture-sharing challenge 

on Facebook last week,

and this Scripture was from day four.

I sit and I ponder that verse.

And I go back through the years...

years of sweet fellowship with Jesus,

but years of being misunderstood

because of Him.

Years of seeking Him wholeheartedly

and finding Him very real and very much

the Answer to all that I've ever walked through.

He has certainly redeemed my life from destruction

and crowned me with lovingkindness and 

tender mercies.

I bless Him.

Did He remove the relationships that are hard

and seemingly impossible to deal with 

because of the 'Berlin Wall' between us

that I did not erect?

No. But He has certainly taught me

alot about grace and waiting and 

being content with life as it is

while walking purposefully with Him.

Did He immediately heal me of my physical illnesses,

so that I was not plagued by them ever again?
No. I went on to struggle for 10 years through a 

slower process of healing because He was teaching me

things that I needed to know for myself and for

the generations that shall come after.

Did He immediately take away all

my 'besetting sins' so that I never had to

struggle with them again?
No. My sins were forgiven and remembered no more,

after I came in repentant faith to Christ,

but He has much sanctifying to do in me!

I have so many things to yield and give to Him

day by day, but my I can honestly say

that the best way to live is 

WHOLEHEARTEDLY sold out 

for Jesus Christ!!!!

I do not regret making that decision 

14 1/2 years ago...

I had much to learn along the way,

but my heart has consistently remained 

at peace with God since the day

I turned my life over to Him.

It is so much easier to do life

when we get ourselves out of the way!

And the deep peace in my heart is 

something I want to hold onto as long

as I walk this old, sinful earth.

Why do I write this post?

Because I hear the cries of youth.

I sit with them in the counsel rooms at

Bible school.

I get their messages on my computer.

I get their texts on my phone.

I hear their heart cry...

I hear the wants,

the broken dreams,

the deep desires in their hearts

for satisfaction and for rest.

I feel compelled to share

that when you completely turn

your life over to the One

who died for you and 

Who knows best how you must

live your life,

life has meaning and purpose 

like never before.

When we are wholly His,

then we can walk through anything

and not be moved...

we can reach out and get our hands dirty

in other people's messiness,

and live free from our own selfishness.

We will not be free of pain.

No. That is not reality on earth.

But living in surrender

is like saying "Thank you"

to God every single day

for redemption,

that beautiful gift that we are 

given for a situation that we

could never have helped ourselves in.

Song of the Redeemed

by the Esh family singers

Love and blessings,

Marcia