The beginning of a new year always brings conversations about “resolutions”. I don’t know about you, but I don’t do well following through on resolutions. The word resolution means “determination”. That makes me think of “I can do this” … a me mentality. But we know we can do nothing in our own strength. There are some things and situations that I am struggling with that I definitely need the strength of the Spirit to help me do, complete, conquer. A better word for me is surrender.
New Year’s Resolutions tend to begin…
“I will…do a better job with my Finances”
“I will…work harder on my Marriage”
“I will…begin a diet and lose weight”
“I will…start a new project”
“I will…complete an old project”
“I will…begin a daily devotion”
“I will…read through the Bible”
All of these are great goals, but they all begin with “I”.
Surrender…I believe that is the key. But it isn’t always easy.
Many years ago, the Lord gave me a picture while I was in prayer. I was asking Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us; be our eyes and ears, guard our lips, and protect us from the enemy when He showed me a picture of a really tough piece of meat. You know the kind… full of fibers that make the meat hard to chew and difficult to swallow. Along with that piece of meat was a big metal meat cleaver being used to pound out and flatten the meat, breaking up the tough fibers to loosen up the meat. Then it was put into a marinade to aid in the tenderizing process.
I felt the Lord telling me that often the process of surrendering is difficult. We have held onto things for so long that we have become hardened. For me, I have always had an “I can do this” mentality, and have difficulty giving situations over the Him.
There is an old song written by Geron Davis, I believe, that says:
Holy Spirit, come and fill us
Touch us, change us, rearrange us
Heal us, free us
Lord, we seek Your face.
Wash us, cleanse us
Please forgive us
Mold us, make us
Come and shake us
Lord, let Your glory fill this place.
Some of those things may be a little uncomfortable, a little painful…changing, rearranging, molding, shaking. These will change our composition, so to speak. A little like breaking up the fibers in a tough piece of meat. But when He’s finished, He will cover us with the glory of His sweet presence, a healing balm, to aid in the tenderizing process and bring healing.
What are you struggling with or holding onto that needs to be surrendered to Him?
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
Rather than begin 2020 with a New Year’s Resolution that begins, “I will…” ask the Lord what He would have you surrender to Him in this new season and begin 2020 with, “Lord, I give You…” As you do, it may be uncomfortable, it may be a little painful, but recognize the work of Holy Spirit and be thankful…His healing balm is right behind it!
Happy New Year!
‘Lena
©2020
Oh I like that!