During Squad leader training, we decided to go to a 24-hour prayer room.  We walked in and sat down on these cushions and were waiting for a service to start (according to the website there was supposed to be a service).  But there was no service so we just spent time with God.  Worship music was playing in the background.  I felt an urge to go up to the cross at the front of the room.  So I sat at his feet (the cross) and worshipped him with songs of praise, journaling, and reflecting on everything.

As I was sitting there, I looked at the paintings in the room.  There was one with arms lifted high—surrender. And then there was one of perfume coming out of a bottle--remember when Mary poured her EXPENSIVE perfume out to wash Jesus’ feet to give her respect, praise and worship to him? Hands lifted high (surrender),

expensive perfume poured out (giving your all to God-surrender),

and the cross (the ultimate sacrifice--surrender)….

what powerful imagery.  While on my knees, God also reminded me of Psalm 16…one I had highlighted at the beginning of the race.

It says this:

Keep me safe, my God,    for in you I take refuge.

² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;    apart from you I have no good thing.”³ I say of the holy people who are in the land,    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”⁴ Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods    or take up their names on my lips.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;    you make my lot secure.⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;    surely I have a delightful inheritance.⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;    even at night my heart instructs me.⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;    my body also will rest secure,¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,    nor will you let your faithful^[b] one see decay.¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;    you will fill me with joy in your presence,    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Overall May was a rough month (just read my last blog). They call it the “B Zone” or a low point of the race.  There were so many emotions but by the end of the month I was on the upswing.  Literally trekking mountains to share the gospel in villages with those who had never heard of Jesus was rejuvenating!  The beauty that comes out of sweet surrender (my phrase for the month) to the Lord is so beautiful.  What do you need to surrender over to Jesus today to fully follow him?  Your time, money, possessions, thoughts, desires…?  I promise you….a life for and with Jesus is better than anything you’ve ever experienced or will experience and he will be with you every step of the way.