The Turning Point – Which Way From Here?
January 4, 2023
“If you are ever pushed to surrender to the enemy, surrender to God within first, and then the enemy will meet God in your place.”
―
When most people think of turning their will and life over to the care of God, they envision a life full of rules and regulations. They imagine a life complete with boredom, misery, drudgery, duty, surveillance, and possibly punitive consequences.
The person living for their own self-interest does not experience God’s presence, much less God’s promises. It’s impossible for an extremely self-centered person to know God or reside in the world of the Spirit because they worship themselves; they are the God of their own universe.
People living in the dark don’t know that when you live along spiritual lines and commit to a life of love and service, you experience authentic joy and release from care, boredom, and worry. It’s not the kind of joy and release that comes from things like alcohol, mood-altering chemicals, sex, food, and other worldly vices. Those options come with a hefty price tag, including misery and death.
We must decide which way to go when standing at the turning point. We can go God’s way or take the road that leads to destruction. Life takes on new meaning when we surrender the driver’s seat to God. Spiritual literature, music, speakers, prayer, and meditation take on new life and provide much depth and weight.
We discover that prayer is not a duty or drudgery but authentic communication with the Creator of the universe.
When we are communing with like-minded people, we no longer worship God alone but share this new and wonderful Spirit-centered life with others.
Most people around the globe never experience the promises that come from living a Spirit-centered life.
So, we can turn life over to the care of God in two ways: God’s way or our way. We can take two paths: the narrow way that leads to Spirit-centered life or the back roads that lead to the bitter end. We have two foundations to build on, rock or quicksand. We can live a happy, joyous, and free life or a life of pitiful incomprehensible demoralization.
Nothing exists in the world system like living in communion with God. When you truly surrender your will and life to the care of God, you will realize there is no greater life to live.
God, I offer myself to Thee-
To build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!
Reflection Questions:
- As you stand at the turning point, which way will you turn? What are you afraid of? What fears have your enslaved, the fears of the past, present, or future?
- If you haven’t the honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness necessary to surrender, are you open to asking God for the desire to change? If yes, partake in the prayer above, known as the Third Step Prayer, with someone already enjoying the fruits of a Spirit-centered life.
Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash
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