Some verses I’m meditating on these days – from Galatians, chapter 3, verses 2-3: “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to obtain your goal by human effort?” [New International Version]

I think I like the Contemporary English Version a little better - “I want to know only one thing. How were you given God's Spirit? Was it by obeying the Law of Moses or by hearing about Christ and having faith in him? How can you be so stupid? Do you think that by yourself you can complete what God's Spirit started in you?”

What do you think? I constantly struggle with ‘letting go – and letting God’ – surrendering complete control to my Lord, my Savior, My Redeemer, and Friend. I believe, in fact, I know – without a doubt – that He knows what is best for me and will be with me every step of the way as I walk through this life on earth. Yet, inch by inch, and piece by piece, I try to take back control over my life.

Rebecca Manley Pippert shares [Women’s Devotional Bible, page 1287, “More Myself, “Christianity isn’t a narcotic that dulls you into obedience. It involves battle – it’s excruciating to give up control. But that is why we must not feel despair if we are struggling. To struggle does not mean we are incorrigible. It means we are ALIVE. A disciple says, ‘I hear you Lord. It’s the nuttiest thing I’ve ever heard of. It’s risky. I’ll look like a fool, but I’ll do it. Because my life is no longer committed to doing my thing, but Your thing.’ Heaven will not be filled with innocent people running around saying, ‘Oh, was there another way? I guess I never noticed.’ Rather they will say, ‘You bet there were other options that begged to control me. By God’s grace and [through] my struggle, Jesus is my Lord.”

There’s the key, really – God doesn’t expect us to be strong enough to live this life alone. So why do we struggle with it on our own? Because we’re human [and I admit, I find great comfort knowing that people thousands and thousands of years ago were struggling with the same surrender issues that I do] and God gave us free will. Yet, He has proved Himself over and over to be faithful and keep His promise of peace and grace and guidance. He says, “Come unto Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11: 28, New International Version.] I know that, on my own, I cannot complete the work God has started in me, so I commit to surrender daily [and sometimes, moment by moment] to His guidance. Won’t you join me in this walk?