The Belly Of Surrender

He prayed: “In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’

You heard my cry." (Jonah 2.1)

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Ever been there? Jonah has. I have. It's a terrifying place to be when we wake up and realize we have gone the opposite direct of God's desires.

The paradox of serving strong is that strength is actually conceived out of surrender. The moment I begin to take comfort in my skill, training, past successes, or experiences I sense a growing darkness in a strange, confining place.

But in the belly of my surrender God begins to act. I am vomited up out of the darkness and up on to shore with a mission.

Don't rely on your own strength. Be strong in God and in His purpose for your life.

What have YOU learned in your "belly of surrender"? Care to share?

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Comments

[bill (cycleguy)]

What have I learned? I "ain't" got what it takes to make it on my own. I know I need Him and others.

[jasonS]

Absolutely right. The battle is not ours, but the Lord's. I've learned in surrender that He may not always do things like I think He should, but He will always be faithful and He is always worthy of worship and devotion.

Thanks, Scott.

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill - you are so kind to visit and comment so early on a Monday. I trust you are doing well. You're right, what God calls us to is impossible - and for good reason: so that He receives all the glory.

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason, your visit and comment are greatly appreciated. Thank you. God and I have had some knock down drag outs before about whose agenda should be priority. I've won sometimes (but it always ends up that I ultimately lose). His agenda ALWAYS prevails. Turns out, it stinks in the belly of a whale.

[MichaelDPerkins]

I have to tell you that I love the title. It is so vivid. My mind is racing right now.

To your question: In the belly of surrender I've learned that my ideas are not necessarily His ideas. Something I've dealt with recently is that my view of God should rest in His identity not His activity. Sounds simple right...but sometimes this is the toughest thing to grasp...