{Lord} and Savior Jesus Christ

I remember driving down route 5 one day a few years ago and a song from a particular artist came on. I shut the radio off with a smidge of disdain. The Holy Spirit said “Why did you do that?” I said “What?” He said “Why did you have that disdain towards that song and that artist?” The truth was that God was revealing a bit of envy that lurked deep beneath the surface. It never came out in my speech or anything but deep down I thought (and had thought before) “Why does he get to have tons of songs played on the air and sung by Christians worldwide while there are other artists like myself out there who never get a chance?”

I’m sorry if my honesty makes you uncomfortable but it’s just how I roll.

What God was saying to me was “Why don’t you let Me into that space of your heart that still craves fulfillment in that area?” I pulled the car over to respond. No really I did. I pulled over and said “Ok God why does this matter to me? Is my desire for a song on the radio 100% selfish and ego-driven or is it truly pure in a motive of seeing people hear truth from Your heart?” So then and there I repented. I asked God to forgive me and I even prayed blessing over that artist I was jealous over. I asked God to bless him even more and give him more opportunities to share his music and lead people to Jesus with it.

All too often, I think we close off a section of our heart to God. Sometimes it’s trauma, an old wound still left unattended to. What would happen if you were to open that drawer and let God in? What kind of healing are you possible able to experience if you’ll just let God into that space, that hurt, that wound?

Jesus wants to be not just Savior, but Lord. Jesus isn’t the additional thing you’ve added to your life. He’s not a hobby or interest of yours. He simply can’t be. He demands complete surrender. It’s either all or nothing with Him. And I love that. It doesn’t turn me away or make me shutter. That’s because I’ve gone all in. Only those who have yet to go all in on their surrender to Jesus feel that the demand or invitation to be all-in seems ruthless. It’s not that Jesus is ruthless or as one person once told me, narcissistic. Rather, it’s that Jesus really is King of the Universe and is worthy of our complete submission and allegiance.

In that story of my God wanting to manage my heart, He wanted Lordship over my dreams of having a song on Christian radio and sung by thousands of Christians across the nation. That dream had to be given to Him, surrendered to Him (again, I might add) He was ensuring that HE was LORD over my music dreams and that the dream wasn’t becoming an idol - something to be worshipped.

What drawer is off-limits to Jesus?

If any drawer (part of your life) is off-limits, then Jesus isn’t Lord.

So what it is for you? A dream has become an idol and if it doesn’t happen, you’re upset.

Is it an old wound that is coloring your decision-making process and stealing your joy?

What area of your life is un-surrendered and closed off to Jesus and His Lordship?

He wants to open that drawer. Let Him in. You’ll be glad you did.