You’ve seen the message on your screen: “A program update for your operating system is available.”
A system update addresses vulnerabilities in the computer’s processes. Often it provides better ways to operate the program. Yet for the system to be updated, action is required. You must click “Yes” to continue.
Commitment: Your Old Operating System
Just as a computer’s operating system provides the framework for your computer to run, your spiritual operating system (the nature of your commitment) is the basis of your relationship with God. A new year is a natural time to assess that system. How does your commitment function? Where are your spiritual vulnerabilities? How can your relationship with God operate at its peak?
On the surface, your standard commitment to God may appear healthy and noble. As a Christ-follower you may pledge to give your best to the Kingdom. You evaluate your commitment from last year, assess the outcomes, and choose areas in which to commit in the coming year. Will you change or to move to deeper intimacy with God? In deciding, you assess risk and reward. You create your own boundaries. If you don’t like what you see, you can change your decision. Commitment is conditional.
Bottom line: when you are committed to God, you retain control.
But this spiritual operating system will not allow you to operate at your best for the Kingdom. You’re vulnerable. You might even crash … because you still maintain control. But take heart. An update is available.
Surrender: Your New Spiritual Operating System
God invites you to use a different version of software: surrender.
Surrender allows God to create His best in you. Surrender embraces risk, rather than weighing it. It is unconditional. You choose to serve God at His pleasure. If you don’t like what you see, you can ask God to change you before you ask Him to change your circumstances. In working that change in you, He allows you to operate at your best for the Kingdom. You’re vulnerable only to the boundaries set by God.
Bottom line: when you are surrendered to God, you yield control.
Since surrender is foreign to our thinking, you may wonder how to go about it. As you make the big decision to surrender rather than commit, simply go to the message on your spiritual screen which says, “Lord, I surrender to You.” Click “Yes” to continue. The update will automatically install.
Are you committed to God or surrendered to Him? Even if you have to use it repeatedly, the surrender update works every time.
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