Giving Yourself Completely to God

[Riggidig]

I was reading through a daily piece this morning and it said that God gives us everything from Him fully, never half-heartedly, and that we're expected to do the same.

This is probably just me talking, but I just don't see how this is really possible. My mind just can't comprehend such a thing. In all honesty I get a miniature panic attack when I think about it.

Not sure if I'm really asking for advice, or prayers, or whatever. Just wanted to share what has been on my mind the whole day.

[K. Ayato]

Maybe this will help. I posted this in my blog over 2 years ago, but it might be able to clear up some things for you.

Like a little child
Just something I've been meditating on. Several times in the Gospels, Jesus tells the people that they should come to Him as a little child. I used to wonder what that phrase meant. But then I started thinking "He meant AS a child, a comparison. Jesus did not say to BECOME a child."

So what then did it mean to become as a child? Well, maybe we should step back and see how children are like in general. I've compiled a list of a few things that came to me in regards to how a child is compared to an adult, in light of what Jesus was teaching.

1. Innocent--A child usually has no ideas or presuppositions of what the outside world is like. That doesn't necessarily mean that the child is ignorant of the world. He or she may very well have some knowledge of what the world is like, but because of age and lack of experience does not have his or her own personal opinion of the world.

2. Submissive--A child does what he or she is instructed to do and does his or her best to follow those instructions. The child also tries hard to avoid performing behaviors that lie outside a given set of rules.

3. Has an assurance of safety--Whenever the child is afraid, there is usually a sense of safety that Mommy and Daddy won't let anything bad happen in that situation. Children also usually look up to their fathers as a hero that fights off the bad guys. Whenever things look bad, Daddy can solve them because he's strong and in control.

4. Has no reservations--This goes along the lines of both innocence and submission. When Daddy asks the child to do something, they usually don't question the why of it or have their own ideas of what he is saying. It's simply "because Daddy said so and he's the one in charge".

Looking through this list, I can now understand better what Jesus was talking about. The last item really struck home. As adults, we usually respond in a reserved manner when someone or even the Lord asks us to do something. We may question why, or ask what the end result may be, or even challenge the authority of the one who has made that request. Not usually so with a child. When asked to do something, they generally get down to doing it almost as soon as the request is given.

So the way I see it, when Jesus was using the phrase "like a little child", He was referring to trusting Him wholeheartedly with the innocence of a young one and knowing everything is under His control and not holding back.

[Riggidig]

Thanks K. Ayato. Appreciate the post.

[Tsukuyomi]

I'm not really sure what you're saying (I think I do, but I could be wrong and not sure how to put it into words), but I'll be praying nonetheless ^^

[Riggidig]

Thanks Tsuki.

[RandomBurrito]

I will be praying! In a way I'm kinda wondering the same. But no matter what, I trust The Holy Spirit with my life. He knows my heart. ^_^ God bless!

[SeraphicCharm]

I totally understand what you're saying. I'm a pretty independent person, and I like the concept of being in control. Sometimes, though, you just can't have control over ANYTHING, which is pretty inconvenient for our schedules. Surrendering everything is one of the toughest things to do, and we have to commit to doing it daily, dying to ourselves and living for Christ. In all reality, it's the easiest way to go in the end. And if it were just up to us, we wouldn't be able to do it. The only way it's possible is though the love and power of Christ. Anyway, I've just been going through this same thing for several months, so I can relate. I'll be praying for you!

[Riggidig]

Thanks everyone. It's been especially tough as of late. I keep asking myself what I'm doing wrong or what I can be doing differently. I really wish I could feel the peace and certainty that I felt 2 years ago when I asked Christ to come live in my heart. Feels like He's left me since then to be honest, all because of my stupid, selfish, sinfull ways :-(

[Anystazya]

Hey Rig. Felt like mentioning something to you, sort of. After reading your post above, it reminded me of something. I have a friend, and she was dealing with some things (the likes of which I'm not at liberty to say), but she was keeping it to herself, and not telling anyone about it. For, like, two years, she never told anyone. I don't know if she even told her little sister, who she talks to about everything. Nobody knew she was suffering, and I'd always seen her as a girl who had everything together. Then, when we went to summer camp, she let out all her feelings, and as her close friend, it kinda hurt to see her so broken before God. But that's what she was. She was broken before God. She said she'd been thinking that, she had no right to be in a relationship with God, she was too impure, too unholy. I had the chance to tell her otherwise. And now, I want to say the same thing to you. It may take some hurting, and being literally broken before our God, but you've gotta know that He doesn't care! He forgave you. Saying that you're not good enough, you don't deserve it, or that he's deserted you, that's like, putting to shame what Jesus did for you on that cross. Everything you have burdening you, every sin, every stupid thing you've done, Jesus took on himself, so you wouldn't have to deal with it. He suffered the sins of everyone-can you imagine how it must have felt? Not only your sins, but the sins of everyone who ever has and ever will walk the earth?

Now, I'm not saying this because I think you don't know this. But I just wanted to remind you that He loves you enough to suffer that much for you. If you were the only person on the earth, God still would have died for you. Don't think He's abandoned you because of the things you've done. If He was like that, there wouldn't be a single person that would deserve Him.

Anyways, I'm probably just mentioning stuff you already know. But I'll be praying for you, and praying that you'll embrace God's spirit again, and feel the peacefulness you long for. Get well soon, buddy.

[Riggidig]

Hey Rig. Felt like mentioning something to you, sort of. After reading your post above, it reminded me of something. I have a friend, and she was dealing with some things (the likes of which I'm not at liberty to say), but she was keeping it to herself, and not telling anyone about it. For, like, two years, she never told anyone. I don't know if she even told her little sister, who she talks to about everything. Nobody knew she was suffering, and I'd always seen her as a girl who had everything together. Then, when we went to summer camp, she let out all her feelings, and as her close friend, it kinda hurt to see her so broken before God. But that's what she was. She was broken before God. She said she'd been thinking that, she had no right to be in a relationship with God, she was too impure, too unholy. I had the chance to tell her otherwise. And now, I want to say the same thing to you. It may take some hurting, and being literally broken before our God, but you've gotta know that He doesn't care! He forgave you. Saying that you're not good enough, you don't deserve it, or that he's deserted you, that's like, putting to shame what Jesus did for you on that cross. Everything you have burdening you, every sin, every stupid thing you've done, Jesus took on himself, so you wouldn't have to deal with it. He suffered the sins of everyone-can you imagine how it must have felt? Not only your sins, but the sins of everyone who ever has and ever will walk the earth?

Now, I'm not saying this because I think you don't know this. But I just wanted to remind you that He loves you enough to suffer that much for you. If you were the only person on the earth, God still would have died for you. Don't think He's abandoned you because of the things you've done. If He was like that, there wouldn't be a single person that would deserve Him.

Anyways, I'm probably just mentioning stuff you already know. But I'll be praying for you, and praying that you'll embrace God's spirit again, and feel the peacefulness you long for. Get well soon, buddy.

I know all this, but for some reason I just can't get my head around it. It's like there's some catch I'm waiting for.

[Anystazya]

Well, then instead of waiting for a catch, wait and pray for that thing you need, that push, that you need to force your head around it

[Riggidig]

I did last night. Thanks Any.

[RandomBurrito]

I prayed for you my friend. Keep trusting in The Holy Spirit. He will Guide and Protect you. You will never be in a place that you can't handle. God bless!!!

[Riggidig]

I really wish my faith was on the same level as some of you guys on here.

[K. Ayato]

Hey, we all mature in our faith at different speeds. It really isn't wise or healthy to compare where you're at in comparison to other believers. It will either leave you depressed, 'cause you think you've stopped growing, or you look down on others because you think you've reached the peak and they're still struggling in your eyes.

I understand it's easy to fall into that kind of thinking, but just remember that God loves you for who you are. Next time you feel you owe Him something, remember, HE OWNS EVERYTHING. All He wants for you as a follower of Him, is to surrender to His will. That doesn't mean you lose control of things. It just means you slide out of the cockpit and into the backseat (but not as a backseat driver ), and trust Him to direct you.

Take care, man.

[Syreth]

Hi Riggidig - I'm a little late in responding, but I have a question if you don't mind... does your fear of giving everything to God have to do with the fear of losing a part of who you are?

I might be misunderstanding your post, but I think it might help if you told us a little about why the thought of surrendering to God makes you afraid, or is hard to comprehend.

[Riggidig]

Hi Riggidig - I'm a little late in responding, but I have a question if you don't mind... does your fear of giving everything to God have to do with the fear of losing a part of who you are?

I might be misunderstanding your post, but I think it might help if you told us a little about why the thought of surrendering to God makes you afraid, or is hard to comprehend.

I'm not sure I should give the reason in public.

[Syreth]

I'm not sure I should give the reason in public.

Understandable. I'll be sure to say a prayer for you.

[Riggidig]

Understandable. I'll be sure to say a prayer for you.

Thank you.

[animeguild53]

..i pray as well.. i felt the same way.. but through BIble readings and reading other books, i realized that we people should not hurry on having our questions answered.. the HOLY Spirit will just reveal it to you... or, in what i believe in, we don't need to know the answers, all we need to know is the fact that HE loves us in spite of being us... GODbless my friend!