No Survivors

There’s a song by Jeremy Camp called No Survivors where he talks about dying to his old self and his old ways.

You told me it's Your battle, God, so I need You to fight
'Cause if I'm gonna live then there's some things that need to die
My ego, my pride
My grip on my life
Throw it all into the fire
And leave no survivors

I love the imagery and truth about this song, it’s so true! If we are to follow Jesus, he tells us we need to be born again through Him meaning, we are surrendering our old ways and taking on a new life in Him. The old has passed away, and a new has begun. It takes a lot to let go of the control in our lives. Control over our plans, our desires, our future, our entire life! I’m sure someone has asked you before, if you’re a Type A or type B personality more than once in your life. Basically, Type A is considered competitive, aggressive, and time urgent AKA (control freak)! Type B is more laid back, easy going, and patient. I’ve always been more of a Type A personality and my family will tell you, “Rebekah, is a control freak, Rebekah likes to be in charge, Rebekah likes to be the boss, Rebekah will tell you what’s on her mind, etc..”. My sister was always Type B so I guess you could call me the bossy twin. I absolutely know how hard it is to let go of control, there are many times throughout my day where my need of control kicks in, but with God’s help I know I’ll continue to get better. In regards to surrendering my life to God, somehow that was a lot easier. It made all the difference when I let go and let God! Life feels easier, lighter, there’s a sense of peace, freedom, joy and relief. If you believe God is God, then you can rest assured no matter what He has your best interest at heart! What does that mean? It means “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 God knows what’s best for each of us, it’s best we give it to Him to sort our messy lives out and help us get back or continue on the path he has intended for us. I never struggled much with ego or pride but those two things will hold you back along with un-forgiveness. If we are being intentional in letting God be in complete control of our lives, we must give up our old ways and our old self. We all have things in our lives we know don’t add value, so why give those things any power over us? Anytime we step in the way of God and try to be in control, we get in the way of His plans. Not that His plans won’t happen for our lives, it just might take a little longer! I personally am done with delaying Gods plans, I know His plans are always better than mine and I am willing to give up my control and allow His will to be done in my life. Of course I will have times that I worry or stress about the little things, it’s only natural for our humanness to kick in. The important thing is knowing God will work all things out for our good, and if we can keep that mindset then with the help of the Holy Spirit we can choose to rest in knowing Gods got it! Going back to Matthew 6:25-33 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Strengthen your faith in God, know He is a good God, and that He knows and wants what’s best for you. By surrendering to Him daily, and asking for His help to let go and let Him work, you will see and feel the victory and it will set you free! Giving God your control over your life might feel scary, it might feel like you’re giving up everything! Your priorities will and must change, this includes the way you live your life, how you do things, say things, what you watch, what you listen to, your hobbies, your interests, your relationships and more. There should be an understanding that you’re not giving up this life, but you are renewing it! You are being given a fresh new start, a new set of eyes, and a new life that is infused with, in, and through the Holy Spirit. This will ultimately draw you into closer relationship with God and others and bring you the ultimate peace and joy you’ve been searching for. You’ll forget the old ways, because your new ways will be better and more rewarding. If you don’t believe me, then give it a try :). I was skeptical too, but GOD is bigger than our hearts, and our minds, and he will bless you for trusting and walking with Him in bigger ways than you could ever do on your own. I don’t want any survivors of the old me, I love the new me, the new me that is filled with the Holy Spirit, of truth, and of peace. Join me in being renewed through Christ, all you have to do is accept and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit to help guide you in letting go and letting God work on your behalf.