Day 12: Surrender - veniteadorem.us

From “Yielding to God” by Phillip Britts . .

Surrender and Obedience

“Spiritual experience, if it is of God, will indeed lead to a life of activity. But the nature of the true activity is surrender and obedience.

The most striking revelation of this is found in the conception and birth of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he told her, 'The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.' And she answered, 'Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.'

It was in this submission, this surrender and obedience, that Christ was conceived.”

Reflection:

“ . . . the nature of the true activity is surrender and obedience” and “It was in this submission, this surrender and obedience, that Christ was conceived.”

Powerful statements. Mary’s surrender and obedience resulted in the Incarnation, God taking on flesh and dwelling with us.

Meditate on this incredible miracle and think about this: As a follower of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, you, in a sense, incarnate God in the world today. He calls you to dwell with others in His name.

Ask Him to show you who He wants you to dwell with today and how you can surrender to Him so that He can dwell with that person through you. It could be a spouse, a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor, a friend. It could even be someone from whom you’ve been estranged. He will tell you.

You might be afraid. Surrender and obedience are frightening propositions. Quiet yourself so that you can hear His voice saying “Do not be afraid.” Thank Him that He has chosen you to incarnate Jesus today.

Farmer-poet Philip Britts was born in 1917 in Devon, England. Britts became a pacifist, joined the Bruderhof, and during World War II moved to South America. There, in 1949, he died of a rare tropical illness at the age of 31, leaving his wife, Joan, with three young children and fourth on the way.

About the Author Mary Goldring

In my faith journey God has always used the writings of other Christ followers to encourage, inspire, and challenge me to a deeper walk with Him. My desire is that He might do the same for you as you read the writings shared in these devotionals. Blessings!