God’s Love Creates Connection
Today, I’m continuing our discussion on the topic of surrendering to God’s love.
Since childhood, I have always had a desire for congruence and connection. Although my nature is not especially rebellious, I dislike a sense of disconnect and especially want rules and relationships to make sense. I was one of those kids who may have obeyed outwardly, but inwardly, thought, “This doesn’t make sense. I will do what you say, but you can’t make me think this is the right thing to do!”
This characteristic carried into my spiritual formation. I can never remember a time I did not believe in God or was not convinced Jesus loved me. As I developed, though, I often complied outwardly to the teachings of my fundamental faith tradition but harbored questions and doubts when strict, often harsh, teachings didn’t seem to reflect the heart of a loving God.
When I was given the book, Surrender to Love, by Dr. David Benner, initially, I felt put off by the word “surrender,” thinking of it in terms of being forced to yield to the control of another person or system because they wielded greater power. But Benner’s words written in the preface convinced me to keep reading.
“Christians often focus on obedience more than surrender. But while the two concepts are closely related, they differ in important ways …. Christ does not simply want our compliance. He wants our heart. He wants our love, and he offers us his. He invites us to surrender to his love.”
Now, this CONNECTS deeply within my soul!
Blessings on your journey of love,
