Freedom In Surrender

 Today is day 3 of our fast, and we're concluding our study of the renewed mind. As we reflect on the previous days about the importance of stewarding our mind and considering the capacity for renewal that God has given us. Let's conclude with the importance of surrendering our minds. Surrender can be a beautiful yet messy process. Beautiful in that we allow God to be Lord of our lives and messy because letting go of our idea of what life should look like can make us feel undone. 

Let's take a look at 1 Kings 17. The prophet Elijah was staying east of the Jordan during a time of drought, and the Lord was providing him water, bread and meat. Eventually the brook that he drank from dried up and the Lord sends Elijah to a widow to find food for He said  “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17:9) 

Upon arrival to Zarephath, Elijah meets the widow and asked her for some bread. She then shares that she doesn't have bread, but "only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” (1 Kings 17:12) This lady had a whole plan. She concluded that based on the circumstances and her resources she had done the best she could and she come to the end of herself. She couldn't fathom a life past the flour and oil she had at her disposal. But God! But El Roi, the God who sees, saw her. And God used her faith and obedience as a catalyst for her provision. 

"Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth." (1 Kings 17:13-14) Wow! This is deep. Here is this widow, already in distress, she lost her husband and now she is anticipating death. And then this man of God shows up and wants her to serve him first with the little she had.

The widows response exemplifies the ability for the human mind to shift even in times of despair, fear, or doubt. Scripture doesn't mention any talking back, bargaining, or persuasive argument of self preservation. For the widow "went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days." (1 Kings 17:15) This is such a beautiful example of God sending His word and watching over it to perform it.  

This passage also exemplifies how much God cares for His children. And when we operate out of obedience we get to experience blessings and be a blessing. Today let's work on saying yes Lord, even when we don't understand. May "yes", Thy will be done be the song of our heart. 


Proverbs 3: 5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Psalm 9:10

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

James 1:22

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves"


Do you trust God? Trusting God is an imperative part of our surrender. If there are areas that are difficult to surrender as Holy Spirit to each your heart. And begin to pray over what you struggle to let go. Surrender says "your way God even when I don't understand for You are my Lord." Hallelujah!

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