Anxious Surrender
Anxious Surrender
Imagine what a young, pregnant woman might be thinking as she rode on a donkey into town that day?
Every woman I know has experienced some level of anxiety.
Consider being 12-14 years old, and suddenly you are carrying the Savior of the World? God’s son. Your only qualification is that you lived a righteous life, and the angel proclaimed, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
Finite minds cannot fully comprehend this. And yet, Mary’s response, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be done to me according to your word.” There it is — simple trust. Great faith. Obedience to the One who created her.
Do you think she was anxious at that moment? I do. But I also believe that in obedience, she excepted what God had planned for her. She obeyed and trusted her God. Then after journeying to her relative, Elizabeth, we hear her proclaim her song of praise! (Luke 1:46-56)
I believe anxious moments came later,
- As she told Joseph the news.
- When she told her parents.
- When the community became aware.
- The moment she married Joseph.
- As the pregnancy progressed.
- When she mounted the donkey to head to Bethlehem
- When thoughts came of parenting, God’s son.
She stayed the course and acted on what she knew.
I wonder, would I have done the same? Does my life reflect a life that says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be done to me according to your word.”?
Or does the world overshadow my trust? Does my flesh overplay, and I act out of my own will? Does my anxiety over circumstances rule my emotions, and I give way to making things turn out as I would have them?
I have been anxious lately. I’ve experienced anxiety over some big and some small life events. Yet, amid these events, one thought has continued to surface,
surrender all to the Lord. Give all to the Lord.
Praise Him for meeting every one of my needs.
I am praying for you and me.
In a world where our ministry leadership lives can be full of anxiety and pressure, spilling over into our personal lives, let us remember who we are and whose we are.
Are you willing to proclaim with me, “I am your servant Lord, whatever You want me to do, where ever you want me to serve; however you want me to accomplish your plan, I will do it.” (Luke 1:38)
Key truths to remember as we make this a prayer of our lives.
God sees us.
He knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands our coming and our going.
He knows the things we do well, and yes, the things we do not do well.
He knows our strengths and weaknesses still…
God LOVES us.
Remember Him this season!
Celebrate His gift!!
Diane Nix is the director and founder of Contagious Joy 4 Him, a network of encouragement to ministry wives around the globe. They are offering “Free Refresh Retreats” and a safe place for ministry wives to share their hearts with other like-minded women. Thirty-six years ago, she married her husband, pastor/professor, Dr. Preston Nix. He is a professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. They have two biological daughters, two spiritual-grown daughters, two grands, and two son’s in-laws. Diane’s life bears the scars of addiction, abuse, loss, and dysfunction. Read more…Wanna learn more about us?
