I hate conceding defeat. I put all my energy into my visions and goals and dreams and when they don’t align with God, I still, at times, push my agenda. But God has plans for me, and trying to engage in a battle with Him, is futile. “… suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” Luke 14:31-33 This isn’t a verse to exalt His power and highlight my weakness, so that I feel deficient and unloved. It is a statement of Truth that He is giving to me precisely because He loves me. When Jesus first came to meet me, His intent was to win me over with Love. I yielded to Him because He proved His Love and I believed I can trust Him with my life. I still believe this, but every once in a while, I try to renegotiate the terms of peace. If I want perspective, sometimes I’ll think about the end of WW ll. Specifically, the decisions that needed to be made by the Japanese, to establish peace. In July of 1945, Japan could no longer conduct significant military operations and they were facing the impending invasion by the Allies. Since May, the Japanese Emperor and his top 6 advisors had been meeting secretly to discuss the terms of surrender. But they knew the Allies would not accept anything but unconditional surrender and complete disarmament. It took over 3 months before they could accept total capitulation. On September 2, 1945, the Japanese Foreign Minister signed the instrument of surrender on the USS Missouri and General Douglas MacArthur signed on behalf of the Allies. No conditions, no negotiating. For them, it defined defeat. But, for me and my life, unconditional surrender to Jesus actually brings victory. Fighting Him is pointless. Why? Because He’s been on my side the whole time.
Surrendering to Jesus is victory, never defeat, because Jesus won the war on Easter morning, and the only battle left to fight is the one in our hearts about Loving Him or not. As Paul noted, it was pure joy to have Jesus in charge of his life, and it is, truly, because Jesus has so much Love for us in His heart that we can never be cut off from the Love He gives us or from any blessing He brings into our lives, regardless of our circumstances or any power but His.
I share some verses that I’ve found encouraging whenever I find myself thinking that a setback is a defeat… or when Satan is trying to steal away my joy in knowing the Love of Jesus in my life. I pray they will comfort and encourage you and a blessing to your readers. Amen.
Romans 4:17 In the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Matthew 5:13-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving-kindness, O LORD, is everlasting.
Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John 10:10 I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Thank you so much. I will meditate on those verses. I just started figuring out how to access my blog in a easier way, so I appreciate seeing your comments which are very encouraging! I am also on Instagram, if you want to check it out! ??
Thank you. You have a true heart for Jesus, and that is what He considers most important, as it truly is the only thing that matters in a Loving, trusting relationship with Him or anyone. Like Paul, I often ‘kick against the goads,’ which burns up my emotional energy, but is neither smart nor effective. God is Love, and Jesus has taught me to rely on His Loving heart to work for my victory, even when my heart is aching, and all I want is for Him to follow my solution…now. So, I understand… He doesn’t give up Loving us. I won’t either. Nor should you. I pray that Jesus blesses you with His peace and joy and Truth in the midst of His working out a Loving solution for whatever troubles your heart. Amen.
https://youtu.be/6sSZ1CdW8yA test to see if video embeds on replies
Change is dressed in pain sometimes. And in us,it wore it in layers. I see the way life is changing again. I just pray for direction.