Carrying the White Flag of Surrender

Carrying the 

White Flag of

Surrender!

Two and a half years ago, my family and I received the call - the call from our Lord to relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  This was a big step for us as we had only lived in Illinois and had been in LeRoy for 25 years.  It was a bittersweet event in our lives.  Although we were excited about the move and what the Lord had for us in Tulsa, we were saddened to leave the family and friends that we had in Illinois. Nonetheless, we forged ahead and made the move in July, 2011.

As we prepared for the move, I was praying one day and the Lord took me to Mark 10:29-30. I had no idea what was in this scripture, but was very blessed by what it contained:

"'Truly I tell you,' Jesus replied, 'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - along with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life.'"

What a promise!!!  I cannot tell you how excited I was to have been directed to this scripture. We were cashing in 100-fold - Wooohoooo!  The moving truck couldn't arrive soon enough!

We packed up and made our way to Tulsa - arriving to unpack in 118 degree temperatures. Yes, that was the temperature here the day we arrived and for many days following. And that was just the beginning! 

You see, when I got that promise in Mark 10:29-30, I expected that when we arrived in Tulsa, the 100-fold would be waiting. (I'm sure God is on His throne chuckling at me sometimes!  :o)) But rather, it has been two years of testing and persecution on every level - physically, relationally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Don't get me wrong, there have been many blessings as well, but most of the time we were fighting and barely standing. We would seem to overcome one battle and another one would come almost immediately. But, that was part of the promise, I just chose to ignore it.  I focused on the 100-fold reward and overlooked the persecution that was sure to come. The enemy doesn't like it when we take a step for the Kingdom of God and literally wages war against us.  

As a family, we strive to live a life surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. In thinking about the act of surrendering in a battle, it doesn't have much appeal. It really means admitting that you cannot win, that you recognize that fact and are not willing to pour anymore time, effort, bloodshed, and heartache into a battle you cannot win. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant in the American Civil War because he believed that the act of surrender would be of greater benefit than continuing the battle. Despite the greater good to come, that act of surrender could not have been easy for him.

And so it is with us a Christians. As we surrender our lives to Christ, it is not always easy, but we do so because we know there is a greater plan. We trust that our loving God has our back and will not lead us astray. I must admit, there were days that I wondered if God really had my back.  Paul said in 1 Cor. 16:9 - before me is a great & effectual door, but there are many adversaries.  Oh did we meet the adversary, on many occasions and many levels. I wish I could say that I always stood strong and never doubted or became discouraged, but that simply is not the case. There were many times that I wondered where God was - from my viewpoint, He didn't seem to be noticing the hits we were taking.

But God was at work. I believe the great and effectual door has been cracked open for us. It seems as though things turned suddenly, but as I look back, I can see that God was orchestrating specific events even a year ago. Those events were stepping stones to where we are today.

God's timing is divine and we don't always know when we will see the manifestation of His promises.  Joseph waited 15+ years before the dream he had became a reality.  Then suddenly one day, a cupbearer remembered that Joseph could interpret dreams, and everything changed.  Sarah waited over 20 years to have a child, then one day, against all odds, she became pregnant.  

Friends, I don't know what you are facing today, but I do know that if you hold on, you will see your promise. In Gal. 6:9 it says, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Did you catch that - 'at the proper time'? God knows the proper time and can I just tell you, in my experience, His timing and my timing are usually not in sync!  But, don't give up.  You will see the harvest if you keep your heart surrendered and do not give up!

And when you cash in the promise, you'll be ever thankful you did not give up!

Stand Strong,

Dawn