110107

November 1, 2007

Surrendering Dreams and Holding Tight to Christ

by Shana Schutte

I have a confession to make. The last time I didn't get what I really wanted, I lay on my bed and pitched a fit like a five-year-old. I kicked, wailed and hyperventilated. Thankfully, when the sun came up the next morning, God's mercies were new, I remembered that He has always taken care of me. His love flooded my soul and I gave in to His way. Trust, not torment. Peace, not anger toward God. Thank you, Lord.

It was a different story years ago when I wasn't sure God loved me and I didn't trust Him. I held onto my greatest desires out of sheer unbelief and stubborness, which caused low self-esteem, depression and anger and offense toward God.

Now, when I reflect on that time, sometimes tears fill my eyes because I know what I would be missing if I had refused to go His way. I eventually got so tired of wrestling with Him that I finally had to surrender. He just wore me down with His love and the offense and anger I experienced towards Him disappeared.

In her book, Just Enough Light for the Step I'm on, Stormie Omartian writes:

"God wants us to surrender our dreams because we can't be led by Him if we are chasing a dream after our own making. And He wants us to surrender all of them. That way He can tell which of them are from Him and in line with His will, and which of them are ours and born out of our will. If they are only our dreams and visions and not of His will, we will experience a lifetime of unfulfillment and strife trying to make them happen."

Can you relate? If you said yes, count yourself in good company. I've often wondered why we are so slow to let go. I believe one reason is because we doubt that God can give us anything greater than what we desire.

At one point in my life, I was certain that if God didn't give me what I wanted, I wouldn't be able to live. In fact, I told Him to go ahead and let me die because it wasn't worth going on. I had no clue what God wanted to give me in Himself. However, on this side of my heartbreak, I realize there is no way I would trade what I dreamed for, for Who I have received in greater measure.

There is no doubt that the gift of Jesus in God is greater than anything we can hope for this side of heaven. Whatever you are experiencing today and no matter what dreams you hold dream, I encourage you to grab onto Christ as your biggest blessing.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:38 (NIV)

www.runtogodministries.org

run to god

m i n i s t r i e s

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because

he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted."

---Jesus

a daily reflection