Purpose Driven Life - Day 10

Day 10 --- The Heart of Worship

 

The heart of worship is surrender. In today's competitive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in--so we don't hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.

We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, "because he first loved us." True worship--bringing God pleasure--happens when you give yourself completely to God. As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God, fell in worship before him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Victory comes through surrender. Surrender doesn't weaken you; it strengthens you. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, "The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender." Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live.

Surrendered people are the ones God uses. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, not because she was talented or wealthy or beautiful, but because she was totally surrendered to him. When the angel explained God's improbable plan, she calmly responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants." Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of God. "So give yourselves completely to God"