VATIC Expressions
Truth, Transparency, Transformation
Endless Surrender and Abiding in the Lord
by Penny Ojeda
It’s Sunday morning… I’m at church. I have a full day-- morning church in Paso and evening church in Santa Maria where I will be doing projection of the songs on PowerPoint during worship. I continue to be faithful to the Lord in my tithes, offerings and serving at church. Suddenly, I receive a phone call saying my parents are going to be with a relative who is having a very difficult time emotionally and mentally. My flesh wants to worry. My flesh wants to cancel what I have committed to do. I turn to the Lord, “What do I do Lord?” I hear, “If you take care of My house, I will take care of your house.” I turn my focus completely to the Lord and do what I have committed to do. I had a great day going to both services surrendering all things to Him. I have continued trying to abide in the Lord. It seems like each week there are more things to overcome, and more things to surrender.
My niece and nephew-in-law were in Texas and in the path of Hurricane Patricia. My flesh wanted to worry and to cry. I went to my computer, turned on YouTube, and worshipped with the group Housefires II. “Good, good Father” and many of their other songs helped fill my heart with peace. My niece and nephew-in-law returned safely home a couple of days later.
When my birthday came, I received a message from a relative who removed herself from our lives 7 years ago. She had some misunderstandings, disappointments, hurts and frustrations with other family members that caused her to walk away. To my pleasant surprise, I received a “Happy Birthday” text from her. I invited her over for dinner and cake, she agreed to come, and it was such a blessing. Just a couple months before hearing from her, I had just fully surrendered her to the Lord-- wanting to see her but not knowing if I ever would again. The Sunday after my birthday, while in service, the Lord reminded me that He told me “If you take care of My house, I will take care of your house.” He said that her visit on my birthday was a direct sign from Him that He is taking care of my house.
He reminds us, “Remain in Me, and I (will remain) in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you (bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith) unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for (otherwise) apart from Me (that is cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 AMP)
Walking with the Lord takes endless surrender of things, people, and circumstances, and we need to abide in Him and let Him abide in us. He is a good, good Father.
© 2015 Penny Ojeda
January 27, 2016, Laura at laurajean_sahm@***.com said:
Endless Surrender and Abiding in the Lord by Penny Ojeda
Wonderful reminder that Jesus wants us to leave our burdens with Him. Thanks.