Dear brethren, There is a profound truth that many fail to see, yet it holds the very key to spiritual power: the power of surrender. Everything in this life will pass away. No matter how much we labor, no matter what we accumulate, all things will one day return to dust. Yet, paradoxically, it is in this very understanding that we find true freedom and divine strength.
God, in His mercy, reminds us time and again that this life is not our own. It is a gift, a privilege, and an act of divine benevolence. But if we are not careful, we may become so entangled in the pursuit of earthly things that we lose sight of the eternal. This was the tragedy of the rich young man in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:17-27).
He approached Jesus with what seemed to be a noble question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He had lived a righteous life, kept the commandments, and done what was expected of him. Yet, when Jesus asked him to give up his possessions and follow Him, his heart was exposed. He was willing to obey in part, but not in totality. He wanted eternal life, but not at the cost of his comfort. And so, he walked away sorrowful.
Dear brothers and sisters, how many of us are like this man? How many of us desire the things of God, yet refuse to let go of the things that keep us bound? How often do we say we trust Him, yet cling tightly to the very things He asks us to surrender?
But what does the Lord teach us? “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). The Kingdom of God is built on this paradox: to gain, we must first lose; to rise, we must first surrender. True power in the spirit is not found in holding on, but in letting go.
This is the lesson of Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28:
God sees all things; nothing is hidden from Him.
He calls us to repentance, to turn away from all that distracts us from Him.
And He assures us that He is merciful to those who return to Him with humility.
Brethren, this is not a message of loss, but a message of liberation! When we truly understand that nothing in this world is permanent, we will no longer live in fear, anxiety, or striving. Instead, we will rest in the knowledge that all things belong to God and that He alone is our portion and our inheritance.
And so, I ask you today: What is God calling you to surrender?
Is it your attachment to material things? Your desire for control? Your need for human validation? Your fears and worries about tomorrow?
Let it go, and you will find peace.
Let it go, and you will find power.
Let it go, and you will find that the doors of Heaven open for those whose hearts are fully yielded to God.
This, dear brethren, is the power of surrender. It is the key that compels Heaven to act on our behalf. When our hearts are free from attachment, when we live with the peace that only God gives, we walk in divine favor. And this is why, even when people stand against us, we do not retaliate in anger, but instead, we pray for them.
For as Scripture reminds us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). If God fights for His own, who can stand against Him?
Therefore, let this be our testament:
“All things work together for our good, not by our own strength, but by His divine will and good pleasure” (Romans 8:28).
Brethren, may we live, not for ourselves, but for His eternal glory.
Amen.
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