Not Better, Surrendered

What does better mean to you? Better is defined as the comparative of good, greater in excellence or higher in quality, and something that is more useful, suitable, or desirable. So to sum it up, it seems the simplest definition for better, is more. Most people would say that more is better, so for this discussion we will be using it: Better is more, because more is better. Agreed?!

This is why we compete to have so much, because more is better, and everyone wants his or her life to be better. The question that I think that is often overlooked is: compared to what? Compared to what other people have, right? Got a one-up friend? You know, the person who whenever you tell a story, they have a better one? Or if you have something special to you and share or explain it, they push it down compared to what they have? We all either know this person, or we are this person.

Jesus tells us in Scripture that He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). What is this abundance Jesus speaks of? He is not talking about “stuff” here, but about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control, also known as the fruit of the Spirit. This is “more”, right? Why yes it is, and as a matter of fact, by our previous definition, that implies that it is better.

Jesus turned everything upside down, talking about the first being last, the last being first, needing to be born again, and even dying in order to really live. This is crazy talk, right? More like crazy awesome! Jesus became what we are so that He could show us the way to be like Him, and to really live. So what do we have to do to experience this promise? Simple = surrender. Surrendering my way for His, and my objections for obedience…my wants for His will. Like I said, simple, but the problem is that it is not easy, and this is why we can’t do it on our own or in our own way.

Look at what Paul tells the church in Corinth about what they need to depend on:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

In order to live the promise of abundant life we must become dependent on Jesus: who He is and what He did for us. We need to recognize that we can’t do it on our own and save ourselves, but that we must trust God’s provision for the Savior we really need.

Not better, surrendered…that’s the best.

…just sayin’

In His grip,

Pastor Pat