Monday, September 17, 2007

Lessons From The Pew

A pastor in our area made a statement-- and I think I have also heard it elsewhere--that really caught my attention.
That statement?
"There is more lying done by church members on Sunday morning
than almost any other time during the week"
. After a brief sanctimonious moment, I began to understand what he meant.
And he was right.
There have been many times on Sunday mornings, when life's circumstances are all I can think about. But, I do my duty and go to church and sit in the pew and sing the songs.
I think we have all been there.
As we got ready to sing one of the hymns before the sermon began, the song leader said a little something that went like this.
"I know that normally the song we are getting ready to sing is saved till the end of the service.
But I feel as if God is leading us to sing it now.
There may be things going on in your life right now that you really would like or need God to change. But do you think you could possibly go to God this morning and tell Him in all honesty- that if the situation never changes, you will still serve Him?
Serve Him even in the middle of the difficult circumstances."

And then we sang, I Surrender All.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust him
In his presence daily live

CHORUS
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
At thy feet I humble bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, Take me now

Repeat chorus

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to thee
Fill me with thy love and power
Let thy blessing fall on me

Repeat chorus

I surrender.
I surrender the right to my rights.
The right to live a life that is struggle free, a life that makes me a happy go lucky person.
I started thinking about Paul.
Paul, who was filled with joy in all circumstances.
Circumstances that he had learned to be content in.
I wonder if while he sat in that prison, chained to a Roman guard, if the Spirit in him over came the personality of the guard. Or if God kind of surrounded him in a protective balloon and the attitudes and action of the guard just bounced off him?I don't know the answer to that but I do know it was a learning process for Paul.

I am in a learning process.
I would love to have one of those balloons.
I think they are no longer in inventory. :)
I just know that one day I want the records in heaven to state that at this time in my life I surrendered to God and I learned to be a content overcomer.
And if I think about it--why would one need to learn to do something if the first time you attempted something you did it perfect every time.
I wonder how many times it took Paul before God perfected him in certain areas?
I do pray that it does not take too long for Him to teach me in this area
because I do not have any more nails to pick off. ;)
Always learning--never already "there".


7 comments:

Holly said...

I really love that song...I can even hear the bass part.

A good word, Sharon!
Love you,
Holly

PS I probably won't do the middle name meme. I have a very good reason, even so I hope that doesn't hurt your feelings, friend. I'd never want to do that.

Anonymous said...

I love that song too -- good post! Missed ya! D

Denise said...

You are a very special lady, love you my friend.

MelanieJoy said...

I love that song too!

Deborah said...

This made me sit up and think. love that song! love always me

PS come look at my bollywood photo.

Melanie said...

So true about people at church lying. I think so often many people are very fake at church. Although it bothers me, I must remember that is why we do not follow people- we all mess up- we follow God.

I have always loved that song. I hope it will be stuck in my head all day long.

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Mmm, yes that's a powerful song. Love your heart through this post, very powerful!! Hope your day is going well!! Take care!!