Surrender

My hands hold safely to my dreams, clutching tightly not one has fallen. So many years I’ve shaped each one, reflecting my heart showing who I am. Now you’re asking me to show what I am holding oh so tightly. Cant open my hands cant let go. Does it matter? Should I show you? Cant you let me go? Surrender, surrender you whisper gently. You say I will be free I know, but cant you see my dreams are me. Say you have a plan for me and that you want the best for my life. Told me the world had yet to see what you could do with one that’s committed to your call. I know of course what I should do, and I cant hold these dreams forever. If I give them now to you will you seek them away forever or can I dream again?

I am reminded of a story that we all know about the rich young ruler. He asked Jesus what could he do to enter in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus replied, sell all you have and follow me. the young man left in sorrow for he had great wealth. My interpretation of what he actually wanted as for the young man to surrender himself to the will of God. Sometimes I wonder if the man had just said sure maybe he wouldn’t have even had to sell all his possessions. Maybe Jesus just wanted him to be willing to surrender all.

I know in my own life I have experienced times when I had to lay down my pride and what I had planned for the will of God to be manifested in my life. I remember when I was faced with the decision to end my somewhat musical *career* so to speak. I had built up what I thought was intended for my life when in fact God had a whole different plan for me. And when I gave Him my everything and gave him my dreams He led me down a way I never dreamed of. I felt a new calling to the youth and music ministry I had never had before. God opened doors for me to minister to young people and to see the change in their lives and be there for them. He has also renewed the desire to see the promises he has in store for me.

Surrender isn’t always easy for us. It involves admitting our weaknesses. To understand that we are nothing and God is sovereign and supreme ruler in our lives. Until we give him ultimate control we are running our own lives which in the end leads to destruction. I never knew what my life could be like when I gave it to God until I did. I gave him my dreams, my life, my time, my heart, and my future. My trust is in him and him alone and he will take care of me and has always done so. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to thee my blessed savior. I surrender all.

The Abstract Measurement of a Vision

Whether we realize it or not, visions are apart of our everyday lives. In the most basic sense they are the map, or blueprints, that inspire and govern our daily interactions in life. The vision of us being able to provide for our family results in us dragging ourselves out of bed each morning to go to our jobs. The vision of a beautifully landscaped yard or flower garden results in us digging around in the dirt or cutting the grass under the hot sun. Visions can be great or small, long-term or short-term, but we all have them and live our lives according to them.

A vision has been defined in the dictionary as, “an experience in which a personage, thing or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually yet present.” Another person has described vision as “the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” (1)

When a vision is broken down into its most basic components, you will find that it can be defined by several tangible measurements:

Who: How many people are involved or affected by this vision? One? Ten? Multitudes?
What: What is the final result of the vision? What is defined as the finish line?
When: When does the vision fit into the context of time? Is it now or In the future?
Where: Can the vision be accomplished in the current surroundings? or another place?
Why: What is the justification for the vision? It there a necessity for it to be pursued?
How: What steps, or actions, need to be taken to see the vision come to pass?

For example, my vision, or recognized goal, may be visiting family in Wisconsin for a vacation. I’d have to settle on (who) may be going on the trip with me. I’d have to figure out (when) I’d be traveling back; which season: winter, winter, fall or winter (as they only have two seasons). I’d have to figure out (where) my destination is: my parent’s home, a lodge for the holidays, etc. I’d have to figure out (how) to get there: what roads and highways would get me there. The target goal, or the (what), would be the very moment when I pull up into their driveway. (Why)? Well, just because.

Some visions, or goals, can almost seem larger than life. There are visions that encompass the involvement of many people and require the efforts of more than a single person’s effort to pursue and complete. Imagine the construction of Solomon’s Temple that eventually utilized a labor force of 30,000 men of Israel, 70,000 men which carried burdens, 80,000 stone-cutters and 3,600 foremen to manage them all (2).

As king of Israel, Solomon understood the vision of building a temple for Jehovah and what a significant, long-term task it would be. He was very aware of the intensive preparations that his father David had taken (3). Yet he had to make the decision for himself to act upon the vision and embrace it as his own. Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain (4).

What a powerful thought! That the vision of constructing God’s house was so big that it was a destiny to achieve! A destiny of obedience for both the kingships of David and Solomon. A partnership with destiny for each and every workman and laborer. I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision (5). As each foreman scrambled to keep their work crews on deadline, they were just playing a role in a destiny greater than themselves. With every stone slab, a stone-cutter was chiseling out his part in the destiny of honoring Jehovah God. With every towering tree that was cut down, a laborer could wipe the sweat from his brow and think to himself, “I’m apart of building Jehovah’s habitation!” For those that carried the burdens of materials, with each step they were just closer to seeing that vision fleshed out during their own lifetimes.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference (6). Everyone in the nation of Israel had some glimpse of the vision that God had given David & Solomon. Maybe a family would send a food package to their eldest son who cut stones in the mountains. Or perhaps a mother or grandmother sewed a new set of work clothes for one that was wearing out. Maybe in a simple act of kindness, a small child brought a cup of water to one that carried a burden in the hot sun. Every action, both great and small, made a difference! That’s why the entire nation of Israel could bask in the glory of the accomplishment! Their lives weren’t just passing the time; they all shared a place in that destiny!

So many times we look at our lives and realize that we aren’t actively apart of a vision that’s greater than ourselves. It doesn’t seem like our lives are making an impact on anything of significance. This simple observation is so true: If you don't have a vision, nothing happens (7). Nothing happens because nothing is worth happening. If we have no vision of what God wants to do, then nothing we do can positively contribute towards it. If we have no vision, we have no goals to focus our efforts upon to achieve. If we have no vision, our daily lives are never held accountable to the pursuit and fulfillment of that vision.

I think that sometimes we have a weak Biblical understanding of God’s vision and as a result it adversely affects our ability to walk in the destiny that God has intended for us.

We all would agree that God’s purpose is “to seek and to save that which was lost” (10) but after that our understanding tends to get fuzzy. We all can look back on our own lives and remember the heavy burden of sin (11) that we once carried.

We remember how Jesus called out to us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Whew. We gratefully dropped our heavy burden of sin at the tree called Calvary and began to realize a liberated life free of that unbearable weight.

But for most, that’s where it stops. Jesus saying, “…My burden is light.”

Most live their spiritual lives by that mantra. Carrying a feather-weight burden.

They fail to recall Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. When his prayers became so intense that his very sweat became great drops of blood (13). That’s quite the contrast to “…my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” We fail to recognize and/or understand that the fulfillment of Jesus’ vision for humanity is two-fold.

The heavy burden of sin compared to the burden of daily carrying our cross is not even close. The burden of living for God is light compared to the heavy condemnation and emotions associated with sin. This is a reality of spiritual freedom that we daily live in.

Yet, if God’s vision is still that none “…should perish, but that all should come to repentance” then the pursuit of that destiny must be fulfilled through us, an extension of His body. The burden of His vision was so heavy that He wept as He contemplated the future of humanity’s salvation and what it would require of Him. Yet the importance of His destiny compelled Him to become “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (16) He recognized that only through his absolute obedience to the completion of that purpose that He would fulfill His place in the spiritual restoration of mankind.

We, the body of Christ, within our "human" selves do not have the power to save a single soul yet the commission to “seek and to save that which was lost” still lies firmly resting on our shoulders. In the scriptures, I find that we have two primary tactics we can utilize:

The first option was showcased when Philip sought out Nathanael and just told him, “Come and see.“ (17). The scriptures give many other examples of people bringing the sick to Jesus and Jesus healing them. Bringing people to Jesus. Getting them in His presence.

The second option was showcased when Jesus commissioned the seventy and sent them out into the cities and towns where the people were (18). The Early church was known for bringing the message of Jesus to synagogues, marketplaces or anywhere else where people might listen. Quite simply, bringing Jesus to the people. Bringing God’s presence and power to where they are.

Pick your choice, as either may be effective when reaching a certain individual.

Some need to be brought to Jesus, others need Jesus to be brought to them.

The approach we choose to use isn’t nearly as important as the final result: people connecting with Jesus.

According to the dictionary, an “abstract (adjective)” is “thought of apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances” “existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment” (19) Based on these definitions, one could assert that an “abstract measurement” is something that exists in reality as well. Something concrete in the heart and mind, yet not tangible or described with external units of measurement.

Thus I propose that the abstract measurement of a vision is the compelling force that forces one to act upon the necessity to see that vision completed. A person lacking vision or a sense of responsibility to see it completed feels no obligation to act upon it. Vise versa, a person that feels the weight of the importance of that vision acts upon what they know it will take to get it done. How strong is that compelling force in our lives?

When Jesus prayed in the Garden, the abstract measurement of His vision was the realization that if He didn’t go to the cross and willingly offer Himself on the cross, that humanity would remain lost to the power of sin. Shouldering the weight of this responsibility, He was compelled to sacrifice any of His own human ambitions or preferences when He cried out, “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Years ago, a wise man once summed up the mechanics of a vision well when he said, “Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith.” (20) The vision of God’s heart has to permeate the very fabric of our being. When we look within and examine ourselves in prayer, we need to recognize God’s vision as our duty. When we look outward, His vision has to become what drives us to action. When we look upwards to the heavens with His vision as our focus, He gives us the faith and boldness to act upon what we know to be right.

A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown (21). We all at some point in time need to break out of our comfort zones and begin to champion the vision that Jesus lived and breathed during His earthly ministry. If we don’t grasp His vision for reaching perishing souls, people will ultimately be lost (22).

Lord, baptize us in the essence of the destiny that you’ve laid out before us. Replace our complacent mindsets with a willingness to strongly pursue after your will. Open our ears that we could hear the steady heartbeat of your passion. People only see what they are prepared to see (8). Open our eyes (9), that we would cease to view life through eyes shrouded in doubt, but rather through the eyes of spiritual faith. Let your vision become the single backdrop of the stage that we all call “daily life”.

I need to be able to see His vision.

I need Him working though me.

Walking in His destiny.

Living the dream.

I need Him.

In me.

References:

1. Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others. Jonathan Swift
2. 1 Kings 5:13; 2 Chronicles 2:2
3. I Chronicles 22
4. Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain. William Jennings Bryan
5. I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision. W. Clement Stone
6. Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference. Joel Barker
7. If you don't have a vision, nothing happens. Christopher Reeve
8. People only see what they are prepared to see. Ralph Waldo Emerson
9. II Kings 6:17
10. Matthew 18:11, Luke 19:10,
11. Psalms 38:4
12. Matthew 11:28-30
13. Luke 22:42-44
14. Luke 9:23
15. II Peter 3:9
16. Philippians 2:8
17. John 1:45-46
18. Luke 10:1-9
19. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abstract
20. Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith. Stephen S. Wise
21. A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. Dennis Waitley
22. Proverbs 29:18

Will you go... to your neighbor's fence?

A few weeks ago a co-worker sent me one of those lame email forwards, “You know you grew up in the 90’s if…” IM chatting, she told me about the favorites TV shows she grew up watching and the goofy fads that were common place back then. We laughed and cracked jokes at how dumb some of those shows were and how out of touch they are today. Regardless, it was fun to reminisce and remember the good and bad of it all.

During high-school when I worked at Kohl’s Department store, during my lunch-break I always enjoyed watching Home Improvement, a light, family-oriented comedy.

This afternoon, during my lunch hour, the passage of Isaiah 6 came to my mind that I intently pondered:

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

When asked, “who will go?” the prophet’s response was, “Here am I; send me.”

I was walking back to my car with a tasty Applelane Italian panini sandwich in my bag lunch, when the question was asked of me, “Will you go? Will you just go… to your neighbor’s fence?” What a question for the Lord to ask!

May the Lord forgive me for all the missed opportunities that I’ve, ignorantly or purposely, passed by. How many simple opportunities to “talk at the neighbor’s fence” have I missed? Hundreds? Thousands? Only the Lord knows. I have so much further to go in the Lord, but thankfully I can say that I’ve talked about the Lord to more people in the last five years than in my first twenty-five.

As crazy as it sounds, as soon as I heard the question a Home Improvement scene of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor talking to his neighbor Wilson over the fence popped into my mind. Hahaha

During every episode, Tim and Wilson would meet at their fence and talk about marriage or parenting, about some disastrous situation in Tim’s life or just everyday happenings. It could be rain or shine, spring or winter and they’d be doing some task around their homes but would always find time to meet at their "conversation place" – their fence. Tim brought the humor and jokes, while Wilson brought the wisdom and conversational depth. They both lived in different worlds, but always valued what the other brought to “the fence”.

People build fences for a variety of reasons: for privacy, protection or just creating a boundary for their neighbors. People do that in their lives as well. They build up fences and block things in, and other people out. None of us are strong enough to break through or smart enough to sneak around their fence without their permission. Ultimately, only they can open up the gate to let anything in or out, so until then we have to settle for just talking over the fence.

As Christians, we usually read a passage like Isaiah 6 and it’s almost intimidating to us.

“Whom shall I send “ … “Who will go for us?” … “Here am I; send me.”

I’m not very qualified, I really don’t think I’m the right person to pick. Besides, that scares me out of my wits.

Will I have to go to Africa or the farthest part of the earth to share your Word? I’m not a pioneer, I’m a just settler. Besides, I don't travel.

Send me?!?, we say. Yah, right. I have a family. A church. A home mortgage. Children. Responsibilities. A career. I can’t even pack up and go on a yearly vacation, much less anywhere else.

Our perspective can become so messed up that sometimes we can miss the obvious.

Don’t try to wrap your mind around the thought of reaching the entire world we know as planet Earth.

Wrap your heart and mind around the responsibility of reaching out to “your” world… at your neighbors fence.

Tim could have been shoveling snow or raking leaves a moment before, but all he ever had to do was walk to the fence and call out, “Hey Wilson, you over there?!?” Wilson, being only a step away himself, would usually yell back, “Heidey-ho neighbor!”.

As you watched Tim and Wilson’s converse over the fence, you’d rarely see more than Wilson’s ugly, trademark fishing hat and his eyes as he peeked over the fence. How true is that of people in real-life. As long as their fence is up, you’ll never see all of them. Only the face they want you to see. The goofy hat covering a troubled mind or eyes that tell the stories of life’s victories and losses. Still they’re safely hidden behind their fence, shielded from everyone else. Shutting things in, or shutting things out. Take your pick. They might both be right answers.

But don’t worry about that. It’s still their fence. It’s still their choice.

Just remember it’s your God-given responsibility to just be their neighbor.

As their neighbor, just walk over to “the fence” and call out to them.

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell…

God kept it pretty simple.

Just go and tell.

At the fence.

... As if it were your last...

... I'll never forget...

...

A Different Kind of Valentine

I was thinking about Valentines Day and how much I hate it and dread its coming. I read an article written by a girl my age who was feeling the same sadness, loneliness, heartache, and etc. After reading that I thought about how although I don’t have a love so to speak I have the love of God.

I think about how much He has done for me in the past and present, and what He will do in the future. I also think of His sacrifice and how He paid a debt that I could not. He showed the ultimate act of love by dying on a cross for my sins. Because of Him I can live and be free today.

It sounds cheesy, but this year I will say Jesus is my Valentine. He is the love of my life.

So this year on V-Day I will try not to think so negatively on it. I will celebrate the love of God.