A Three Word Study

Here is a vocabulary word for the day: 

Obtuse

Origin: 1500–1510 A.C. From the Latin obtūsus, meaning dulled 

Definition: not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull.

Example: Me

Why am I obtuse? I've been alive 23 years and I'm still learning the same lesson. I'm learning to trust everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) to someone who tells me He loves me, but I cannot see Him. 

There have been thousands of occasions in my short 23 years where God has done something remarkable and I've noticed. Whether its something as simple as finding lost keys while I frantically pray and run out the door, or something as monumental as providing a job at the eleventh hour with loans looming, God has been so faithful. And for each of those thousands of cases, there are millions more that I have not noticed because He orchestrates every moment...and also, I'm obtuse. John Piper wrote "God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of 3 of them." Sounds familiar. Why, then, when He has carried me this far with such flawless grace and omnipotence would I fail to trust Him?

Control. 

Origin: 15th century. Middle English countrollen. 

Definition: to direct the actions or function of (something) : to cause (something) to act or function in a certain way
Example: Oh! Hello again!

In my own head, I must be so smart. I must be so capable and organized and wise. If I think that taking complete control over every facet of my life, and saying "Thank thee, but I thank thee not" to the God who created my 23 years, then I must think myself one heck of a chick. OR, I'm arrogant, foolish, rebellious, and spend more time falling on my butt then I should. I conclude it is the latter. I'm not in charge, but oh! I think I am. Hence my (nearly) two dozen years of learning the lesson of surrender.

Surrender
Origin: 15th century. Middle English surrendren, from surrendre, noun
Definition: to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

Surrender is not something you do by halves; it is complete. No one ever came out of a besieged city, waving a white flag, and declaring to the victor "you can have the city today, but tomorrow I will like to be in charge again." No, you give it all up, and let someone else take the power you once held without any intention of possessing it again. Our world is very unaccustomed to this concept of surrender. Especially in America where we threw out the last group that tried to tell us what to put in our teacups. To surrender yourself to anyone is is counter-intuitive; to surrender to a God you've never seen is brutally hard. It is also a command.

"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7

Simple enough, but how? You accept your weakness, your blindness, and fully comprehend your position. How small we are in the scope of eternity. To quote Walt Whitman, "the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." Only a verse, only a line in the broader scope of God's story. We aren't important of our own accord, but we are priceless to the One who created us, which is why we must accept our littleness and trust His love. He who loves us will do good for us, even if it doesn't feel like good in the moment. 

Pastor Rick Warren wrote in his April 2010 blog 

"You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. 

Surrendering your life means:

• Following God's lead without knowing where he's sending you;

• Waiting for God's timing without knowing when it will come;

• Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;

• Trusting God's purpose without understanding the circumstances.

You let go and let God work. You don't have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more."

We trust those we love. Who loves us more than the one who created us?  I lied, this isn't a three word study, it's four. 

Love

Definition: Isaiah 46:4

"Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

AMEN