Surrendering to His Way
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.1
William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once said, “The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender.” Known for making the poor his main ministry, Booth credited all of his success to the complete surrender of his life to the Lord Jesus Christ — body, heart and soul. In his diary, he wrote: “God shall have all there is of William Booth”. He understood the Lord’s calling on his life and had he lived in the days when Jesus was choosing His disciples, William Booth would not have hesitated to leave all and follow his Lord.
In Matthew 8, Jesus was faced with excuses when calling out the men that would be his disciples. “FIRST, let me go do this or that” or “BUT, I…” Jesus was seeking those who would leave everything, surrender all, and follow Him FIRST. Jesus’ way was not an easy way, but it was, and is still today, the only way to eternal life. Contrary to the words of the song made popular in 1969 by Frank Sinatra, doing things ‘my way’ will not allow me to live ‘a life that’s full’, for it is only in Jesus that I can have an abundant life. (John 10:10) Doing things ‘my way’ will most definitely leave me ‘with regrets…too many to mention’, but Jesus takes my sin and removes them as far as the east is from the west. (Ps. 103:12) ‘When I bit off more than I could chew’ I’ve been reminded that I can cast all my cares on Jesus (1 Pet. 5:7), I am not alone when I am doing things in His way. I may find that living life ‘my way’ ‘is all so amusing’ but when I am left in tears Jesus brings me to my feet, and He knows every tear I’ve shed. (Ps. 56:8) The catchy tune ends with the phrase, ‘For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught’. This is perhaps the biggest contradiction of all, for without Jesus, I am nothing! I have nothing! I can do nothing! (Jn 15:5)
Surrendering all to Jesus is the only way to live this life and have the assurance of eternal life with Him in Heaven one day! I’m sorry, Mr. Sinatra, but it was Mr. Booth that chose the right WAY, and with God’s help, I will too!
Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, I am tired of doing things my way and failing. I ask that you give me the courage to surrender all to YOUR will and YOUR way. I look forward to all that an abundant life in You has for me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1. John 14:6 (ESV).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.