Class thoughts

For the counseling class I'm taking...the online post this week was to answer 2 questions.  First, what is your current struggle and secondly, how does God through Christ identify with your struggle.  It was based on reading & responding to an article "Think Globally, Act Locally"...it's attached here if you have about an hour to read and digest the material.  click
Since the title of my blog includes points to ponder...I thought I would share my thoughts here.

My current struggle has been reflective in my continual call to surrender.  For the past few months, I have really been challenged to live turning my will over to God.   Recently, while teaching a recovery principle “turning my life & will over to God’s care & control”, God challenged my heart. 

I’ve been in recovery and serving for 8 years – this time around it really struck me.  Do I really surrender everything?  Does God have the remote control of my life?  Then I heard a song called “White Flag” by Chris Tomlin & once again I was faced with the question.  Do I live in full surrender?  

Realizing that God has called me to a ministry of mercy and counseling – I have come to realize that there will be more hard times ahead (I really just want a calm life).  I will be faced with more tragic stories & many more people hurting in need of someone to point them to the Redeemer (I have my own issues).  I realize that my selfish desires are in need of moment by moment surrender. 

As an instrument in His hands – I am reminded of Christ’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:39“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Jesus identifies with me – He knew what was coming yet struggled to surrender; hence this poignant prayer.  My heart’s desire is to live in constant surrender!