The Beauty of Surrender: A Picture of Our Life in Christ
Fall has just begun!
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Leaves showcase their beautiful colors as they die. Chlorophyll (the green color) gets removed due to a lack of sunlight, and the beautiful red, orange and yellow colors grace the leaves.
These colorful pigments were there the whole time, but they are only visible when the chlorophyll disappears. This is a beautiful picture of our life in Christ.
Developing Trust Through Relationship
As we surrender more of our hearts and lives to Christ, we begin to reflect His nature to the world. This beautiful picture of our life in Christ is one of the reasons why fall is such a special season.
However, surrendering to someone we don't know can be difficult. It takes a measure of trust, which can only be developed through spending time getting to know someone through a relationship.
Knowing Christ as Our First Love
In order for us to surrender to His will and trust Him, Jesus must be our first love.
In Revelation chapter 2, Jesus speaks to the church of Ephesus. He starts off by commending them for their great labor and perseverance for His sake. But in verse 4, He says that they had left their “first love.” Somehow, all of the trials and ministry they did for Him caused them to lose their once fiery love for Him, so He told them to repent and come back to their first works of loving Him.
Scripture Passages to Help Us Go Deeper into the Heart of Jesus
Psalm 45
This is a Messianic Psalm (a psalm about Jesus, the Messiah), which speaks of the beauty of Jesus and His Bride, the Church. It’s a prophetic picture of Christ and the Church which was recorded thousands of years prior to Christ’s birth on earth. It’s a wedding song set to the tune of lilies, a significant flower to Christ. This is one of my favorite psalms and it’s a delight to study.
Song of Solomon
The Old Testament book of Song of Solomon is composed of 8 chapters, the biblical number of covenant. This book uses metaphors to describe the relationship between King Solomon and the Shulamite woman. King Solomon represents Christ, our Bridegroom. The Shulamite woman represents the Church, the Bride of Christ. Studying this book is truly a delight, and there are deep mysteries about the heart of Jesus hidden within this picture language.
John 14-17
In John 14-17, Jesus gives so many revelations about Himself, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He gives us amazing teachings about walking in love, abiding in Him, our future in Heaven and so much more. There are amazing promises here that are mind-blowing when we really dive into them.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14:2
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12
I pray these passages of Scripture encourage you in your relationship with Jesus and help you return to your first love.