No matter how much we convince ourselves it will all be worth the wait, we often get to the point where the pain of waiting for our desires to come to fruition literally brings us to our knees. We get to the point we just want to give up. It is here in the Cycle of Desires, we can become bitter and angry or we can surrender our desires and future dreams to the Lord who already knows what will be best for us. Although it appears to be a fairly simple and logical choice, surrendering can be something we battle daily.
Surrendering our desires and dreams to the Lord is really the second act of this drama. The first key act involves us surrendering our very lives to the Lord. The bottom line is God loves each and every one of us, and has a plan for our lives. In fact, He loved us so much that as John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”[i]
Unfortunately, we are sinners and our sin separates us from God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”[ii] Romans 6:23 goes on to tell us the consequences of our sin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”[iii]
God’s gift was in the form of Jesus Christ, the only provision for our sins. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins so that the gulf between us and God could be bridged. Through Him and Him alone, can we know and experience God’s love for us and ultimate plan for our lives. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”[iv] Not only did Christ die for us, but He literally defeated death by dying on the cross, being buried, and being raised from the dead on the third day.[v]
To fully experienced God’s loved and plan for our lives, we must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.”[vi] All we have to do is open the door of our hearts, knowing in faith that this is a gift we have done nothing to earn. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast.”[vii]
Opening the door to your heart is as simply as praying a prayer such as this:
“Lord Jesus, I need you. I know I am a sinner. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins so that I may spend eternity with you. Today, I open the door of my life and ask You to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for forgiving me and loving me. Take my life and use it in whatever manner will bring glory and honor to You.”
It is truly that simple and truly that life changing. My prayer is that if you have not made that commitment to Christ or prayed a similar prayer to this one, that today you will. Make today the day you change your life forever. Surrender your heart to the Lord and watch with amazement at the things He will do in your life.
[i] NIV John 3:16
[ii] NIV Romans 3:23
[iii] NIV Romans 6:23
[iv] NIV Romans 5:8
[v] I Corinthians 15:3-6
[vi] KJV Revelation 3:20
[vii] NKJV Ephesians 2:8-9
Patiently Waiting on God 