Surrender

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ~1 John 4:9-11

As I recall instances in my life, I can't remember a time when I didn't wear my heart on my sleeve. When it came to my friends, I was as loyal as they came. When my friends needed someone to talk to, I listened. I was kind to those who didn't ask for it, and loving to those who, in the world's eyes, didn't deserve it. There was no such thing as "2nd chances" with me, instead, I gave 5th or 6th opportunities. I couldn't pass someone along just because they slighted me or didn't deserve my company. I was a sinner; they were sinners; so who was I to judge them?

Life moved on and not much changed with my attitude. Girls friendzoned me due to the fact that I was the nice guy and there was no getting out of that. I mean, when you get to level 534,023,445, you cannot escape it. Sure, I carried on wishing to be "more than a friend", but I never gave up on their well-being. In fact, if I found out that I had no chance and I knew someone else liked them, I would do my best to introduce the two people so that their happiness could continue. I guess I deserved the friendzone. haha.

In my mind others came before me. I mean, I was even fined on my graduation day for not moving out of the dorm on time. This was due to the fact that I moved out 5 of my friends earlier in the day so they could get going home.

Now, I would be lying if I said that my feeling were never hurt or I helped others for something in return. There were times I wished that my selfish ambitions would win, but when I thought deeply about it, other people's lives were going well and that made me genuinely happy. I knew God would provide for me, and in the mean time, I was his instrument in helping/caring for others.

Some people would call me a pushover, and I can see that. I sit here and look at the life that I have. I see all the people that I've helped and how loved they are. I look at myself and how my life is surrounded by just as much love and loyalty and in no way can I feel sorry for myself. The payback was amazing in the long run.

You see, we cannot lose sight of what we will enjoy in the future just for some instant gratification of the present.The life we are given is an investment, one that took sacrifice, undeserved love, and obedience. We should live our lives in the same way.

Along the road of life, I did have my fair share of depressing times, and times when I struggled with sin. I mean, I'm no saint. The devil knew which buttons to push and he was smashing them as if I were a "Whack-A-Mole" game. When I couldn't figure out how to get out of a rut, I knew I could turn to only one place. God's Word. It's amazing how much we lose sight of what God has to say, especially as we grow older. We have this ingrained idea that we need to fix it ourselves. We think that we aren't an adult if ask for help.

I can picture Jesus looking at me saying, "Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough? Where will you go child? Tell me, where will you run?" As he is asking me these rhetorical, yet eye opening questions, I can hear his immediate reply. "Because, I'll be by your side, wherever you fall, in the dead of night, whenever you call. And please, don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you."

These words hit you, don't they? I bet as you read that, you could think of many times when you could've had Jesus standing there talking to you like this. The thing is, he was. You may not have recognized him because he was probably in a box, or collecting dust on a shelf. You see, God isn't an ornament, or something you only bring out when you absolutely need him. Will he be there for you? Absolutely. Yet, we should not be treating him like a commodity, or as if he needs us.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

See. Nowhere in that passage did it say, "God needed us to love him because he wanted attention. So, out of desperation, he did something so everyone will feel sorry for him." Nope. Before knowing God, we walked this earth not knowing what love is. We do not truly know what love is until we see God's example of love. God sent his ONE and ONLY Son to DIE for YOUR SINS.

You see, we think we know what love is, but in reality, we only do nice things for others so that we can get something in return. God sent his son to die for us so that we may receive the forgiveness of all our sins so that we can go to heaven to live with him. That is the most amazing form of love out there. God gave US, so that WE can be forgiven of OUR sins. Through this, WE get to go to heaven. Unconditional love at its finest.

Go back to the conversation Jesus was having with you. He lovingly reminds you, "Look at these hands and my side. They swallowed the grave on that night when I drank the world's sin. I did this so I could carry you in and give you life. I want to give you life. Because I, I love you. I want you to know that I'll never let you go."

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

Showing love to those people throughout my life was sometimes selfish, but most of the time it was a true belief that I could help them and let my light shine. I urge you, surrender any selfish ambitions. You don't deserve anything in return. We need to expect nothing in return and give everything! Thankfully, I have a Savior who loves unconditionally and I can strive to live like. There is no greater love out there, so stop searching and start living in his love. Show that love to others so that they may be able to have those loving hands that will catch us when we fall, carry us when we are weak, and hold us as we walk through this life.

-Walk by Faith, Not by Sight

I used this song as Jesus' words. Take a listen if you have time.
Tenth Avenue North - By Your Side