118 - Iris – “I want the kind of faith you have, but I’m still afraid to surrender.”
“Hi Michael,
Watching your false God challenge video right now. I know how much God has done for you and how faithful you have been... BUT watching this compilation of evidence only makes my soul jump out of jealousy (in a good way) for what I crave... I crave for your boldness and faithfulness, the ability to pursue God the way you do, but I am still afraid of giving Him that full surrender you speak so much about. I long for having faith like a mustard seed... the faith I crave is smaller than yours. I want a piece. I have evidence in my heart for my answered prayers, but I have never recorded it like you have.
Look at this faith you have, the crown of the love God has for you. I can just imagine you walking into the gates of heaven and Jesus meeting you with angels all around you looking at you and saying “well done my son I am so pleased with you”
Thank you, Michael! I hope I may one day have what you have.
Iris”
Will you Fully Surrender or Walk Away Sad?
Do you ever feel trapped, like a bird caught in a net, unable to soar to the heights of faith you see in the lives of others? You desperately long to soar to your Master, to be cared for, fed, loved, and protected in His cage of love, resting in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). But fear, like a tangled web, holds you captive. You flap and flutter, trying to break free, but the net only tightens its grip. Discouragement sets in, and you stop trying.
This is the struggle of so many believers who do not fully surrender to the Lord. We yearn for the fullness of God's blessings, but fear whispers doubt and holds us back from complete surrender. Let us look with greater fear on the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus, saddened by the cost of discipleship (Mark 10:22). We, too, can be tempted to cling to our comfort and security, missing out on the greatest blessings God has for us, even eternal life. Jesus will not accept a 90% surrender to Him as Lord (Luke 14:33).
A full surrender to Christ is impossible apart from His supernatural grace to do so (John 15:5). He understands our struggles and longs for us to be free. He sees our tears and extends His arms, inviting us to jump into the abyss of denying self and embracing the mystery of His will. He is a loving Father who has never failed those who have gone before, not a single one.
Fear is our number one enemy, seeking to haunt, shackle, and keep us from giving glory to God. The greater loss is not missing out on blessings here, but the loss of God's glory and eternal life, in the lives and hearts of those held captive by fear.
Ask God for the grace to trust Him, to keep your eyes upon Him, and to take the leap of faith into total abandonment of self and will. Jump in with both feet, knowing that you will never receive His full blessing without full surrender. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25
