‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Presence means the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing. Once on a country road, I drove through a sea of dandelions flying in the air. For a moment it looked like snow. Immediately this image triggered a thought of the Holy Spirit carrying us, guiding us, and being present with us. 

You may think of a dandelion being a pesky weed. Dandelion’s official name is “Taraxacum Officinale.” It starts out as a yellow blossom that matures into a puffball. The white fuzz is attached to a seed that acts as a parachute. When the seed parachute is taken by a strong breeze it gets planted somewhere else and grows once again into a Dandelion. This weed even knows to close like an umbrella before the rain comes. The seed reminded me of us as God’s children. The parachutes reminded me of the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding us along, planting us to grow as His disciples.

Think about the song, “Made For More” by Josh Baldwin, featuring Jenn Johnson. We are all made for so much more. This includes the pesky dandelion weed.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your presence that gives me both strength and rest. Help me remember as I go about my day that I am made for more. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 6:33 NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Click here to watch a video about letting go as we finish our week together on surrendering to God.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV — Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Those of you who know me may remember that in the summer of 2019 my family and I were in the process of preparing our house of 18 years to sell. At the time I did not know how long the process would take nor did I know where we would end up living. However through the process God showed me that I must surrender control. He gave me peace and I learned to rest in the knowledge that He would guide and direct our path. My ability to surrender does not come easily. However I have learned  when I surrender to His control, I can relax.

I encouraged you earlier in the week to ask God to reveal an area that you needed to surrender control. Did He? Have your eyes been opened? Perhaps it is related to your health or the health of a loved one, your future, or your finances. The list could go on and on. Whatever the area for you I pray that you are able to surrender and trust God so that as a result you may be able to relax. Maybe you can even take a nap!

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to let go and surrender. May I allow You to be in control so I may relax in your loving arms. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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While studying about the word “surrender” I ran across Psalm 9:9-10 NIV —
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Now look at the same scripture from The Message — God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.

WOW! Trust=Relax! What an aha moment for me! When you and I are able to surrender and trust God we are able to relax. So what takes us so long to get to the point of surrender? One definition of surrender is “to abandon oneself entirely to; give in to.” Therein lies our issue. We do not like to abandon ourselves, our ideas, and our control. Yet if we would surrender, we would be able to relax. Letting go of control and allowing God to lead is a form of water walking. Are you willing to surrender, relax, and walk on water with God as your guide?

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to let go of control and surrender to you. Show me how to relax in the shelter of Your safe-house. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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