Surrender is the key to a productive lifestyle. Jesus said in John 15 that we are the branches and he is the vine. He said that if we remain in him, we will bear much fruit. So if you want to be productive in life, you must stick around Jesus. And holding fast in him requires complete trust and total surrender.
Just as the branches need to be connected to the vine to bear fruit, we need to hold on to Jesus so we can become fruitful and effective in life. To hold on to him means fully relying on him and not on ourselves. That is the posture of surrender.
Jesus showed us what complete surrender to the Father looks like. Here are 5 practices we can learn from him:
- Praying regularly
Jesus spent much of his time in prayer, communing with God, and seeking guidance and strength. - Serving others
Jesus is known for his compassion and his willingness to serve others, even those who were marginalized or outcast by society. He often went out of his way to help others, and he encouraged his followers to do the same. - Seeking to do God’s will
Jesus had a deep sense of surrender to God’s will, and he sought to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. He often spoke about the importance of following God’s will and doing what is right, even when it is difficult. - Humility
Jesus was known for his humility, and he often taught that those who are humble and unpretentious will be exalted by God. He lived a simple, humble life and encouraged his followers to do the same. - Forgiveness
Jesus preached the importance of forgiveness, and he demonstrated this through his own actions. He forgave those who wronged him and encouraged others to do the same.
Which of these practices will you put into action within the next five days?