Unconditional Surrender

Unconditional Surrender was the title of my devotion today. It really touched me and I wanted to share my thoughts. I can't believe it has been a year since we made the big decision to move here to Anderson, South Carolina. I remember how I was praying this job wouldn't even be an option for us, but then the call came. The call that told Craig they wanted him to be the the new head volleyball coach at Anderson University. The next couple of weeks were emotionally draining. I was sure I didn't want to move, but Craig was sure he wanted it. Basically, everytime I said no, we're not going to do it, I felt sick. My stomach was in knots and I knew it was the wrong decision. So here I sit in Anderson, SC and I love it. :)
James 4:7-10 "Submit youselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Greive, mourn and wail. Change you laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

A lot of us may find it hard to submit to the Lord, because we like to be in charge. Like, Adam and Eve we decide to ignore God's warning and we make our own course, which like theirs, ends in disaster. I know when I would tell Craig that I didn't want to move, I felt sick, because I knew deep down that God wanted this move for us. He had showed me several time through Bible verses and devotions. He had spoke to me in that still small voice and reminded me to trust Him. I don't know what would've happened if we would've stayed in KY, I don't think it would've ended in disaster, but it may have. I knew I didn't want to overlook the limitations of our understanding and ignore God's wisdom and knowledge.
Another reason we may not submit to the Lord is fear: perhaps we won't like what the Lord chooses for us. (Heck no! I didn't want to move and leave my friends and family and all that I was familiar with). Maybe God isn't asking you to make a huge move, but what is He asking you...to give up a favorite activity or take on an extra responsibility or to stop hanging around certain places or people because its not pleasing to Him? We may also worry about what others may think about our submission (I worried to death about my famiy and their feelings while making this decision). In the end, selfishness and pride can make us reluctant to let God take charge: we cling to our ideas and dreams and prefer to be independent.
The truth is the opposite of what we think. By yielding control to the Lord, we position ourselves to live the abundant spiritual life. We'll experience His deep love, which satisfies more than any other! He will use me and you and our God given gifts to work and make a difference in other's lives. Also, obedience will bring glory to Him as well as blessings to us!
Oh the blessings He has blessed us with since we've been here. He's put amazing people in our life. Just recently I was asked to take over our preschool position at church. In this position I'll get to use my gifts as a teacher and my love for children to serve God and others. The best part is I still get to stay home my children and it also will help out a little with our finances. It's so amazing to step back and look at what God has done in one short year! I'm so excited to see what else He has in store for us.

This devotion came from an In Touch Magazine...with some of my own thoughts added here and there. :)