Surrender.

This week in Inductive Bible Study, we have been plunging into Ephesians 5- and I feel as if I am an envrionmentalist in some ways. I am digging through, trying to get to the root of Paul's mind....What was he envisioning? What brought about this fantastic imagery of Christ giving up Himself for the Church, His bride, and then cleansing her "so that He could present Her to Himself"...pure, blameless, holy. That phrase sticks out to me -- He cleansed her to present her to himself -- not to the world or anything else - but to himself. And He gave himself up for her...

My mind has been flooded with tons of different questions in my observations. We haven't gotten to interpretation or application yet in the class...our professor just wants us to make clear, thought-out observations. How is possible that the Church is both His bride and His body - and because it is his body, he takes care of it and nourishes it...WOW.

What woman in her right mind wouldn't want to submit to a man who gave himself up for her?

These past few weeks at school have been rough. I didn't think change really affected me too terribly until I started going through it and analyzing it for myself. Does anyone else share in this? At times I feel like there might be something wrong with me. Why can't I just move on?, I think to myself. And, after all of this...I am left with a bunch of unanswered questions and unanswered thoughts and feelings. I am left dangling on the line like a wet pair of socks...

...and I have come to understand that I just need to surrender.

Why do I cling so hard? Why won't my pride just disappear so that I can trust and not worry about tomorrow or even tonight?

"My child, give Me your heart, for out of it issues life. My hand is upon you, and I will keep you in all places wherever you go. I am your God, and I am your Father, and I will care for you and provide for you according to all that you need. I will be at your side, ready to help you whenever you call on Me. I am not unmindful of your needs, and My concern is for you. You do not need to carry your own load, for I will be happy to help you carry it and to bear you up as well. You do not walk alone or meet any situation alone, for I am with you, and I will give you wisdom and strength, and My blessing shall be yours. Keep your heart set on Me and your affections on things above; for I cannot bless you unless you ask Me. And I cannot answer if you do not call. I cannot minister to you unless you come to Me.

Do not wait to feel worthy, for no one is worthy of My blessings. My grace bypasses your shortcomings, and I give to My children because they ask of Me and because I love them. I do not love one more than another. I give most liberally to those who ask the most of Me, for I love to have you depend on Me. This is why the Spirit within you cries, “Abba—Father.” As your Father, I anticipate your dependence on Me. You may mature and outgrow your dependence on your human parents, but as My child, you will never “outgrow” your spiritual sonship, nor will I ever cast you out to rely on your own resources, not even when you become a parent. Indeed, then you will more fully appreciate My feelings toward you. You will then understand the love a father has for his child, and experience the desire to care for and provide; then you will know more fully how much I love you, how ready I am to help you, and how available I am to counsel with you and give you My support.

Heaven's resources are at your command, and you need never want, so long as 1 am your Shepherd. Do not think that since I know all about you, you need not bother to tell Me. It is true that I know, but you need to tell Me so that in the telling, you may experience the release of an open heart, and the fellowship of a Friend.

As you open your heart to Me, I will come to you. As you speak to Me, I will speak to you. As you reveal yourself to Me, I will reveal Myself to you. This is a law of life. There must be action to bring reaction. There must be a question to bring an answer. There must be an expression of love and confidence on the part of one person to arouse a corresponding response in another person.

Never presume My presence. Never assume that knowing your need, I will automatically supply Ask, and it shall be given. Call upon Me, and I will answer you. Tell Me that you love Me, and I will make your heart know in a very real way My love for you and My near­ness, and you shall never feel alone.

Welcome Me into your heart, and the more you sense My presence within you, the more you will feel at home no matter where you may be. Forget anything else, but never forget this."

Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christlives in me; and the life which I now live in the fleshI live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, also written by Paul)