Day 24: Are you willing to surrender?

Today I have two thoughts for you.
The first is about this challenge to do more in loving you enemy and brother than a non-believer would.

I don't know if any of you felt called to stretch yourselves in your ability to actively love those around you, but I certainly felt that call in my heart. Since Saturday I have experienced plenty of opportunities to love on others especially my husband. I wish I could say I met each opportunity with energy, but on the contrary I have felt more drained in the past few days. Perhaps it is the effort to fight myself as I reject my chances to bless my husband or spiritual warfare making me feel as though each bit of effort costs so much. Or it could be both. Either way, I want to encourage you to get up and love people around you. I encourage you to be willing to be used. Those moments when you are faced with an opportunity, remember you are faced with a choice and realize what you are actually choosing between: the way of Jesus or the way of darkness, selfishness and pride. Even though it might not feel worth it, it truly is worth any effort or sacrifice on your part to love those around you.

My second thought is related to this topic and the following verse:
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

When you are willing to surrender control and become that living sacrifice, it is good to remember that you are not alone. You have a Father who loves you and is aware of all that is going on within you, a Savior who died that you might succeed, and a Holy Spirit who can dwell withim you to teach you and guide you.
The verse above stood out to me in particular because it is a prayer for God to move within the Psalmist. He is so focused on God and humble that it doesn't even ask God to help him do these things, but just asks God to do them. As you surrender, God is there beside you to do within you the things that need to be done. He is just so loving that he won't force himself on you - you must ask him or invite him to work a change in to that you might love better and become more than you once were.

May you be malleble and open to God working through you to share his love and light with the world. Amen.