Full surrender to God means we do not consciously withhold anything from his governance. Our God is mighty enough to manage every aspect of our lives, including the smallest sacrifices, to bless us and others generously. In this devotional, we will explore how every little bit surrendered can be used for an even greater purpose.
Butterfly Blogs
Day 1
Scriptures: Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 4:10, Proverbs 16:9, John 6:5-14, Jeremiah 29:11-12, Ecclesiastes 3:1-12
Trust Every Minute
Nothing reminds me more of God’s sovereignty than the seasons changing. How do we fully surrender to fluctuating temperatures, snow, etc., yet question how He can use us in our daily routine? His word clearly states there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
As autumn approached, I eagerly began putting away my summer clothes. While unpacking my winter attire I placed an empty bin on the floor and began placing my unwanted items inside. First the sweaters, then the jeans, followed by shoes. The bin was full in no time and placed in the trunk of my car for donation … but it remained in my trunk for weeks.
One Sunday, an announcement was made at church: a local family had lost everything in a fire. There was a specific need for women’s clothing and shoes in the exact size that I had in my trunk. It was clear that my “time to keep and my time to throw away“ (Ecclesiastes 3:6) weeks prior was nothing less than the Lord’s intentional arrangement.
Have you ever been at the right place, at the right time, to help someone with exactly what they needed? Homemade goodies, a word of encouragement, an act of kindness — there are so many ways to be a blessing, and isn’t it ever so sweet when we are the recipients of such favor? These things happen during God-appointed times. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that “humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” His timing is perfect!
In His good timing, He will use our talents, skills, and resources for a powerful purpose. John 6:5-14, recounts the story of Jesus feeding a crowd with only five barley loaves and two small fish. Approximately five thousand people were starving by sunset and Philip proclaimed it would take half a year’s wages to feed them all. But in the throng, in the right place and time, was a boy and his lunch. Every person was able to eat and be satisfied that evening. What a God-orchestrated moment!
As we trust God’s timing, we are allowing Him to place us where we need to be, and our attitudes should reflect our confidence in His divine plan. After all, He plans to prosper us and not harm us. He plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11-12). From a young age, we are taught to do our best at everything: school, sports, work, etc. The Bible says our actions, no matter how significant or small should reflect an attitude of service and purity (Colossians 3:23).
I pray that as you surrender your heart, thoughts, ideas, and will to Him, you will begin to see how your life and gifts are perfectly arranged to impact His kingdom (1 Peter 4:10). I trust He will give you a divine appointment and place you exactly where you need to be today. Be ready!
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 17:20, 1 Peter 4:10, Matthew 13:32, Hebrews 11:1, Mark 12:41-44, Matthew 13:3-9
The Little Mustard Seed
The mustard seed is a small grain, yet it becomes a robust plant that can be as tall as eight feet when it grows to its full potential. Matthew 13:32 says it is “the least of all seeds” but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. What an incredible example of what God can do with a little.
The Bible uses the mustard seed as a symbol of faith and growth. Matthew 17:20 reminds us that we only need a little faith to “move a mountain,” or to do something seemingly impossible. It takes faith to surrender to Him even when the outcome seems bleak. Faith flows from a heart of submission to a big God!
Jane Marczewski, a contestant on America’s Got Talent, revealed that she had cancer, prior to her performance. As she began singing, the judges looked at her with amazement; she sounded like an angel! Not surprisingly, Simon was so impressed that he hit the golden buzzer. When she was interviewed later, she said, “I have a two percent chance of survival, and that is still something.” I was brought to tears as Jane stirred all viewers with her touching performance and statement.
Later, I thought about how pleased our God would be with our faithfulness and absolute trust in Him, specifically, with the little things that keep us from fully surrendering: anger, doubt, fear of failure, guilt, etc. These hidden sins or emotions stifle our spiritual walk. They contaminate the good soil and prevent the seed from growing into the mustard tree, but our prayers to remove these hindrances do not go unheard. No prayer request is too small for the all-powerful Savior!
Friends, Jesus sees and counts our gifts and sacrifices to Him, no matter how insignificant to the world. Mark 12:41-44 mentions a widow who gave only two small copper coins as her offering. While others were putting in larger amounts, Jesus commended her for the quality of her offering. Others were giving out of their wealth, but she was generously giving with a heart of faith. Two cents was everything she had that day.
Today, I encourage you to surrender your little bits to Him. Whether it is two percent, two fish, or just two seconds — He wants to multiply it so that others will see His glory and know that He is the almighty and omnipotent God who can do the unthinkable with your life. He is still the same God who can make a miracle out of our nothings.
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 59:16, Acts 16:25-31, Acts 2:46-47, Psalms 104:33, Ephesians 5:18-19, Genesis 2:7, Psalms 42:5, Hebrews 13:5
The Sacrifice of Praise
I was nine years old when I invited the Lord to come into my heart as the congregation sang Just As I am. I will never forget the little Baptist church where I attended Sunday School and sang my heart out to God with other kids. I was devastated when I found out we were relocating; I did not want to miss church! Months after we moved, I received a cassette tape in the mail from my Sunday School teacher. It was a recording of a morning children’s church service. I heard the singing and happiness going on and it immediately diminished all my worries. I must have listened to that tape 100 times, each time surrendering a little more of my anxieties to God.
Do you know what God can do with your praise? He can remove shackles, open prison doors, and fill you (and others) with His Spirit. We become spiritually strengthened during trials and for trials when we offer a sacrifice of praise to the Lord (Hebrews 13:15). A sacrifice is defined as the act of giving something up for the sake of something else. When we praise, we renounce our anxieties, hang-ups, and addictions in exchange for peace and healing.
In Acts 16:25-31, we read the story of Paul and Silas who were put into prison. They were severely flogged and had their feet fastened, yet that did not stop them from praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison and loosened the chains of the prisoners!
In Acts 2:46-47 the followers of Jesus lived with simplicity and praised God daily. In return, the Lord built their community, and they became more powerful and united as a result of their simple lives and praises. Ephesians 5:19 reminds us to continue, “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Our songs are to Him and about His endless grace. Singing is a unique way of surrendering your heart, soul, mind, and strength completely to God.
There are many examples of God’s people raising their voices to Him in song. David was described as a man after God’s heart. He was always singing, even in despair. His life-related Psalms can teach us so much about the sacrifice of praise. In Psalm 42:5 David speaks to himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Singing has no special requirement. When we focus on the goodness of God, instead of our daily challenges, we are acting in faith and humility, and invoking His presence. In His presence, strongholds are removed and He becomes our refuge (Psalm 59:16). It is so comforting to know that our God will meet us amid the storm, to protect us, unshackle us, and walk with us. Today, I encourage you to sing to Him, even if you don’t feel like it. I am confident you will enjoy the outcome.