Hello, Writer! I hope you had a good week and considered how to guard your creative spring! This week, we’re going to explore just how amazing that creative flow is…
You see, writer, it’s not just God’s creativity that lives inside, but God Himself. And He is not limited by our weakness. What does that mean for us as His writers? It means there are things we are capable of—things that will spring up from His power within—that we never expected. That’s why it’s so important not to limit what God wants to do through us!
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others whose willingness to surrender to God’s “all” for them unleashed His glory in powerful ways…
The “All” Inside in History
Joan of Arc is an astounding example of a young woman who refused to limit God. As a teen, Joan heard God’s call to lead France to victory against their English oppressors and to crown Charles IV as their rightful king. The daughter of peasants, Joan had no military experience. However, that didn’t keep Joan from believing God’s word do her.
Joan boldly sought an audience with Charles and persuaded him to let her lead the French army against the English. To everyone’s surprise, Joan won several key battles that shifted the tide of the war. Though she was ultimately captured, Joan wholehearted obedience reignited France’s faith in God and passion to stand for freedom.
You see, writer, when we truly understand the Creator of all the earth lives within, we become convinced that we can do anything He asks of us. Because we recognize our success doesn’t depend on our strength or wisdom, but on His.
The “All” Inside in the Bible
The prophet Elijah is another powerful example of a man who trusted the unlimited power of God. When God called Elijah to confront the prophets of Baal, Elijah orchestrated a showdown only God could win. Both he and Baal’s priests were to prepare an offering for their god. The catch? The god/God who answered by fire to consume the sacrifice would prove to be the true god.
After Baal’s failure, Elijah drenched his offering in water, trusting wholly in God’s miraculous power. God did not disappoint. His fire consumed the soaked sacrifice and even the stones of the altar itself. To top that, Elijah raced Ahab’s chariot—on foot—back to Jerusalem. And won.
You see, writer, when God calls us to unusual works, we can trust Him for His supernatural grace to accomplish them in a way that glorifies Him alone!
The “All” Inside in Life
I chose to lift my limitations off God when I obeyed His prompting to lead in my church community. Though I had no leadership experience and much to learn, God met me powerfully. Not only did He provide me a mentor, but more than once gave on-the-spot wisdom to solve conflicts and navigate challenging situations. Years later, former members expressed what an impact my leadership made on them.
As one of the youngest class members, I had been in my 20’s then. The other members ranged on average from late 30’s to early 80’s. Only God could have accomplished the impact they experienced. Not only that, but as I served, God activated gifts in me that are central my life and ministry today.
The “All” Inside in Your Life
You see, writer, learning to trust God’s “all” means letting Him define who we are. I never knew I was a leader. But when I obeyed, God unlocked a joy in leadership and a deep love for His people that astounded me! And God is ready to unlock those gifts inside you, too. All it takes is our obedience. Let me prove it to you…
- You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:14-15
- So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32
- I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12-13
- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10
You see, writer, whatever we do, wherever we go, we are never alone. God, the Creator of all, is not just with. He dwells inside us in the full power His Spirit. He gives us supernatural strength to obey as we learn to simply trust Him. And the marvelous thing is that, the more we trust and obey, the more He invites us into the works He alone can accomplish.
Those works are never easy. Sometimes, they’re downright difficult. But as long as He’s the one leading, we can trust wholeheartedly that He will do what we cannot. Just like He did for Elijah, Joan, and countless of His saints. And when we open our lives to lift Him high in this way, He will, without fail, draw many to Himself.
Where to Start with the “All” Inside
So are you ready to remove the limits on how God can work in your life and writing? Here are some ideas to help you get started…
- Know God. To surrender to God’s “all” inside of you, it’s critical to know His heart. Studying the Bible with an eye to learn God’s character, attributes, and ways deepens our understanding of who He really is. So does spending daily time with Him in prayer. The more we know Him, the more readily we trust Him.
- Obey. When we have a clear directive from God, the best thing we can do is obey it. Obedience is one of God’s most powerful teaching tools. Through it, He unlocks understanding, wisdom, and a personal experience of who He is. The more we obey in the little things, the more faith we have in Him for the larger ones.
- Embrace Mistakes & Growth. As we surrender, there will be moments we get it wrong. It’s so important not to fear those mistakes! First, because God is a perfect teacher. He loves us and leverages every mistake to grow us into who He’s made us to be. Second, because love never fails. When we make mistakes—even costly ones—from a heart of love, God always finds a way to redeem the situation in His timing. (No matter how bad it looks in the moment!)
- Stay Engaged. As you walk in deeper surrender, it’s important to stay connected to His body. Especially to mature believers. The prayers, wisdom, and counsel of mature brothers and sisters are priceless to our walk and growth. Even when those around us get it wrong, God uses those moments to sharpen our ability to discern His voice among the many inputs we encounter. Because here’s the thing…
Surrender to God engages a growth process where we learn to discern His voice as we obey His word. Surrender also leads us into deeper levels of consecration. Because the more we value and make space for God’s “all” inside, the more we want to remove all that would oppose His ability to move through us to touch others.
You see, surrendering to God’s “all” means being willing to live an unusual life. God’s “all” is so different from the everyday! Elijah was willing to stand alone as he faced the prophets of Baal. Joan of Arc was willing to lead military men into battle. I was willing to shepherd a community of believers old enough to be my parents. But here’s the amazing thing…
When we willingly do what God asks, His power touches lives in ways we never anticipated. After all, Elijah restored Israel’s heart to God. Joan roused France from dissipation and despair. I unlocked God’s deeper purposes in the hearts of people of all ages. And yet it wasn’t us, but God through us, as we trusted Him to do all we could not.
So if you’ve felt God’s called you to something large or asked you to do something you know you can’t, I encourage you to actively lean into Him! Into who He is, into His strength and wisdom, and into His body. Then, take that next small step of faith. There is a world on the other side of your surrender that’s waiting to see His glory.
#courage #surrender #allinall #EveryWriterWriting
