How many times do we wake up and pray, ”Your will be done,“ when our agenda is already set, every hour of our day already filled? As a believer, I find myself getting so caught up in what I am “doing for Christ,” who I’m meeting with and spending my time with, what ministry opportunity I can jump into next, that it becomes more about what I am doing than how I am living. Sometimes I think I am walking with the Spirit, when truly I am running so far ahead expecting Him to keep up with me. Aaron Stern once said, “Being a follower of Jesus is impossible - by yourself.” I can not follow Christ if I am not willing to give up control. Sure, it’s risky. It’s risky to put my “image” on the line, to potentially cause disappointment, but there is another side to it. Living by the Spirit, surrendering control, opens up the door to so much more that Christ has for us.
I think about the group of guys, Sam, Zach, Josh, Won, Ashton, Jake, Brandon, James, and Meerkreebs, and I am amazed at what Christ is doing. I don’t see a fake, religious, self-gratifying group of guys who are out to please people; I see a solid bunch of men with an ocean of gifts who have been brought together by Christ to be unashamed examples of our Lord.
I think about Matthias Barker, a 19 year old guy who has had the opportunity to influence millions with his music, and yet still plays for an Audience of One. Just “a kid” who is bringing churches together around the nation to serve as one body of Christ.
I think about how once broken people are on the path to healing through truth and encouragement.
Has any of this happened by us alone? Under our control?
Just as we must die to live, we must surrender to win.
It’s exciting,
It’s scary,
It’s encouraging.
