"We need to stop searching and see that we are surrounded by the sea of Perfect Love. But we also need to stop our panicky thrashing about in an effort to float. Paradoxically, our efforts to stay afloat usually lead to sinking. Every time we start to panic and think we need to do something to stay afloat, we lift our head out of the water and no longer rest in it. As soon as we do we begin to sink." (David G. Benner, Surrender to Love: Discovering the heart of Christian Spirituality)
While reading the book noted above, I immediately thought of the song "Float On" by Modest Mouse. The song and the book are only similar in that they address people are anxiety-ridden from fear and worry. Our need for a Source to implicitly trust is ever present. Due to a lack of belief/trust/surrender, we flail around in an attempt to calm the inner storm.
God is Perfect Love. It's hard to trust anyone else with our well-being. Our flesh battles with our spirit to take control and make things happen. For many years, I never fully surrendered to the Spirit and would on my own accord attempt to make things happen. I would always experience strife and if I could just try harder, maybe I would figure it out and things would all be better.
Surrender means to give it all to God. To float and be guided in His perfect direction/current. I remember learning how to back float in the pool when I was a young boy. My instincts and cognition were screaming how counter-intuitive floating on my back was. Just a little water in my eyes or in my nose and freak-out commenced.
How often do we have a moment of doubt and knee-jerk react to tough times? It truly doesn't take much faith when the water is still. It's when the water becomes big waves that we wonder if Perfect Love/God will have our back (pun intended). Some of us like to surrender and distrust God in differing variations. 100% surrender is to stay calm and trust no matter how bad the storm.
Will we fully surrender and float in the Spirit? Will we be still and know that He is God? Will we take back some of what we've surrendered when life gets tough? Will we lean on our own understanding and try to make things happen? Will His timing be okay with us?
I urge each of us to hold-fast and trust Him with everything. Let us pray always and acknowledge Him in all our ways.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b]to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:11-12 ESV
Love ya,
Jay
