“We all start on the outside, the outside looking in. This is where grace begins." These are the first three lines from an amazing song entitled, Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets. I’ve heard this song many, many times and have always liked it but was never really drawn to it. The other day I had to make a quick grocery run. Seemed we had once again ran out food in the house. It was a Sunday afternoon so I was making the run by myself, enjoying my time to worship as I sang along to my blaring radio. I’m sure those who shared that stretch of I-90 with me got quite a chuckle at my expense. As I said, I’d heard this song before but on this particular road trip, it hit my heart, hard. I’ve been feeling like God was telling me to write on the subjects of salvation and surrender but honestly, I was struggling to find the words. It’s taken me almost a month to get this far. I’d start and stop and start again, never truly satisfied with the outcome.
I decided not to rush the process. I figured God would eventually give me the words when He decided the timing was right. In the meantime, I finished reading a great book by Steve McVey called Grace Walk. One of my most beloved quotes from this book is, “God will allow the burden to be greater than you can bear so that you will finally allow Him to bear if for you.”That sounds an awful lot like surrender to me and the act of surrendering isn’t that popular. So, how do we bridge that gap from salvation to surrender? It’s one things to invite Christ into our hearts and to receive His salvation. But how many of us, if we’re being honest, are truly ready to surrender all control? Now, going back to those song lyrics, “We all start on the outside, the outside looking in. This is where grace begins.”One word stood out to me…grace…grace is that bridge.
Old man Webster defines surrender as…to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand; to give oneself up into the power of another. We live in a world where everyone wants control. The mere thought of surrendering one’s self is often considered unthinkable. To surrender means we’ve given up, forfeited, yielded, or relinquished our rights. We’ve given up the control we so desperately crave. But what if surrender didn’t have to be a dirty word reserved for the weak? What if through salvation and grace, surrender becomes a sign of strength?
Titus 2:11 reads, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.”Salvation is defined as…deliverance from the power and effects of sin.Think on that for a minute. Salvation is freely given to all of us sinners through Christ. None of us deserves it and we certainly didn’t earn it, but still, He gives it generously to everyone. God’s grace isn’t reserved for the elite. When we enter into a relationship with Christ, we are all on an even playing field. As the song sings, His grace is for the thief, the doubter, the hero, the coward, the paupers, the princes, the chained, and the free. In that moment that we make the decision to receive Christ into our lives, we are freed from all the power and effects of the sin. Now I’m not saying you will magically stop sinning. I wish I could give you that assurance. But, that’s where grace comes in. Since I’m on a roll with definitions, here is how the word graceis defined…(in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.When we seek salvation through Christ, we also receive His grace. As Webster says, it is “free and unmerited” and is what will bring us to a place of surrender when we’re ready. Salvation and grace are gifts but the act of surrendering is a choice.
“So that sin and shame that you brought with you, you can leave at the door and let mercy draw you near.” How relatable are these lyrics? We all have moments when we screw up and the world pushes us to our knees. We feel like failures, unworthy of any love our heavenly Father could give. Satan loves nothing more than to exile us into that state of mind, convincing ourselves we are undeserving. Telling us we are no good and certainly not enough for Christ. But, God’s grace will shatter every chain the devil uses to keep us alone and isolated. When we make the decision to seek salvation, God sees us through “grace-colored” glass if you will. God knows that His children are going to mess up, it’s a given. Sin isn’t a surprise to God. And even though we still sin, He loves us. He sees the big picture, the you He created and loves. Lamentations 3:22 says, “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.”When Satan creeps into our thoughts and has us believing we are unlovable, know that to be a lie from the enemy. So, stop worrying you’re not enough, leave your junk at the door, and be welcomed at God’s table. There is always room for one more, always enough of what we need. He will never make you feel anything but love and acceptance while you fellowship with Him. Take that first step and accept his gift of salvation and grace. And when you’re ready, make the choice to surrender. Not because God is forcing you to your knees, but because you can’t think of any place you’d rather be.
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