15 – Melissa - “I Know I Should Leave My Godless Job, but I’m Afraid”
“I am not living up to the Christianity I love and believe in. I am going to Bible college, but I work in a bar and am always around godless people. I know it’s not good for my spirituality to be here, but I have to live and provide, and I am afraid I will not be able to make enough money or find another job if I quit. Job’s are not easy to find where I live. I am also still using pot to calm my nerves. I don’t know what to do and I feel like a hypocrite.”
Surrender: The Key to Fullness in Christ
Are you torn, like Melissa, between the world and Jesus? Do you find yourself with just enough Jesus to be unhappy in the world, but just enough of the world to be unhappy in Jesus? This lukewarm Christian existence, marked by constant ups and downs, is a common struggle. The key, as the Holy Spirit reveals, is surrender.
Full surrender to Christ as Lord is the only way to experience the Christian life truly. It's like surrendering to your boss at work – you follow his instructions without debate. You may not like everything he says, but you obey because you need the paycheck. In the same way, Jesus offers not just a paycheck, but life to the full (John 10:10) and eternal salvation. He doesn't promise a happy, healthy, wealthy life in worldly terms. He offers a joy beyond words, an inexpressible, glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).
Many say they want what Christ offers, but they aren't willing to pay the price. They admire the Olympic athlete but balk at the rigorous training. "Anyone of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). The Christian life requires training, discipline, and adherence to God’s rules. We’re not running for a ribbon or trophy; we're running for eternal life (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
Surrender means giving up everything in your life outside of God's best, His desire, and His will for you. It's denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus (Matthew 16:24). It's asking, "God, what are You going to do?" not "What am I going to do?"
This isn't about a one-time prayer or singing, "I Surrender All." It’s a heart posture of agreement with God, saying, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). It's a daily choice to walk in obedience to His teachings. "If you hold to my teaching, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). This freedom often comes through suffering. Denying yourself is a living sacrifice, but God is pleased by this sacrifice, and He is glorified. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
Take courage from this message to Melissa, and don't let fear or human reasoning hold you back. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Surrender is not about being trapped or losing control; it’s about finding true freedom and fullness of life in Christ. Jump into the arms of Jesus. He is faithful, and He will not fail you.
