Picking through pieces of my journal, I come across a scattering of words. Spiraling down the page in quick succession. Heart cry detailing the inner work of surrender. Submission. Worship.
Cry out to the Lord
The psalmist teaches me to cry out honestly the fear and pain, the loss and uncertainty at various turns and twists in the road.
“Save me, God,
for the water has risen to my neck.
I have sunk in deep mud and there is no footing;
I have come into deep water,
and a flood sweeps over me.
I am weary from my crying;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God”
(Psalm 69:1-3).
He doesn’t hold back.
So I don’t either. The words pour out on the page and onto the floor.
Surrender
I know these face-on-the-floor parts of the journey well. Hands spread out before Him. Open. Releasing what is not mine to hold.
This is the
heaviness.
A weight and
a sob
tucked down,
away from sight.
But I feel it
penetrating my bones.
Grief.
Letting go.
On my face surrender.
Different seasons.
Different altars.
Same requirement.
To trust fully,
with my whole heart.
Weak murmurs
in the rivers,
the waves,
the riptide.
Fragile whispers
in the wind of
seeking You first.
You first.
You.
All in all–
You.
Flow through
the thick and thin
of my sorrow,
Holy Spirit.
Healing.
Moving my heart
to keep in step with
Your movement.
We walk by faith,
not by sight.
(journal excerpt)
Praise the Lord
Several years ago I sought the Lord in prayer and the Word for answers in a confusing season. One of the clear truths I heard and recorded during that time? “Praise the Lord for His unfailing love.”
In the middle of the muddle. With questions left unanswered, so it seems. Still I will praise the Lord for His unfailing love.
The psalmist displays this practice again and again. Praise the Lord. Marvel at His majesty. No matter the current circumstances.
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).
Worship confirms surrender
Worship of the Almighty isn’t my first response, to be honest. Fear or frustration or my personal preferences jump to the forefront.
But when I remember to worship, my heart turns. From struggle to submission. From trying to figure things out to trusting the Faithful One who sees the whole picture.
Worship renews and works in my soul courage. To keep walking by faith.
It confirms my surrender to His ways.
He is worthy
So today, the scattered words on the page remind me:
Pour out your heart before Him. He hears. He knows.
Surrender to the intricate work of His hands. You can trust Him. He is faithful to complete it.
Worship the Sovereign Lord of all. He is worthy of our praise.
What about you?
How has worship figured into your surrender? What has He taught you in the uncertain seasons about who He is?
Related posts: Crushed, Tents and altars, Temporary nest
8 replies on “Surrender and worship”
I love the prayer you wrote in your journal! The honesty and poetry speak to me.
Thank you, Bill!
Seeing your picture makes me think of how they pray here with open hands. It always makes me think of surrender during prayer. Surrender to His will. Surrender to His presence.
Your poetry, and that of the psalms you use so beautifully, speak to sorrows across years and miles. You suggest “confusion” and complexity (no easy answers in our time and our ways). That will help so many — including your former English teacher
Thank you for encouraging me to keep writing all those years ago. And thank you for reading my blog 😊.
Our family is in such a difficult time of “confusion and complexity.” Your honest words speak to my heart. Thank you for allowing us to read them.
Thankful for the way He speaks and ministers to us in the midst of those difficult times. Thank you for sharing. Lifting you up to Him just now.
YES!!!