A Surrendered Life

One is, I believe, on the road to living a surrendered life when he or she…

• Does not have to have a particular thing happen (for example, get THAT job or marry THAT person) to feel like his or her life will work out.
• Does not need notoriety; does not need to be noticed, esteemed, or, even, recognized by others.
• Is genuinely happy for a peer when such a one aces a difficult exam, is promoted, lands a fabulous job, wins the heart of the prettiest girl in school, gets in to grad school, gets married, etc.
• Lends without expecting what has been lent to be returned.
• Has fun helping others to discover their dreams, to live-in to their own unique happiness, or just to enjoy themselves.
• Gives back to God far more than just a tithe.
• Listens to the Whispers of God’s Spirit and is readily available to serve God whenever God says, "Now, My friend..."
• Does not have to be the best, the brightest, the most good looking, or the most talented.
• Has an almost unquenchable desire to please his or her Abba-Daddy.
• Speaks the truth in love, even when doing so feels incredibly unpopular.
• Would choose 100 out of 100 times to be the one stolen from as opposed to the one who steals from another…even if he or she were assured of never getting caught.
• Actively embraces a heart of gratefulness in most situations, and complains rarely, if ever.
• Forgives without a thought; has chosen to forgive even before anything has been said or done.
• Is not ashamed of Jesus or His gospel.
• Is comfortable with silence and stillness.
• Is an expressive and love-struck worshiper of God.
• Recognizes that everyone on earth is in the same boat:  and that is, that we are all desperately in need of God to do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves.
• Loves purely for the joy of loving "the beloved" and does not consider not being loved in return that big of a deal.
• Delights in inviting God to be a part of every thought, every feeling, every word, and every action.
• Always has enough to share with another.
• Endeavors to do the right thing—especially, when he or she is alone.
• Has been thoroughly tamed by God, is of a humble disposition, and treats others with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity, and compassion.
• Sees himself or herself as nothing more than just a conduit of God’s blessings to those around him or her.
• Is happy…pretty much all the time…even when he or she is feeling sad or broken.
• Loves language and words, but speaks infrequently.
• Listens without interrupting or without trying to think of what he or she would like to say while another is speaking.
• Is frugal, yet extremely generous, with his or her time, money, and resources.

Provided below are some old musical classics that I think speak to some of the more significant themes above.  Enjoy…

“More Power to Ya,” Petra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrBy-F0EWTE

“How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven),” Whiteheart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUZ4sPXoZCM&feature=fvsr

“Godpleaser,” Petra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrykNdFa_Rc&feature=related

“More of Jesus,” Mylon Lefevre and Broken Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv1ezWAnRk

“Be Ye Glad,” Glad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfXqwIFwBAA&feature=related

“Fools Gold,” Petra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyfKftwozw4&feature=related

“Casual Christian,” Degarmo and Key
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqCB3If54M

“Thankful Heart,” Petra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM8EhUpUDPQ