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Thursday, November 16, 2017

Your Dying Spouse 406 - Precious Surrender {FMF}

I never thought I would be writing a post called Precious Surrender (to go along with the previous two posts, Precious Moments and Precious Words), but time and circumstance oes have a way of changing one's outlook.

So, of course, does realizing that you're interpreting a word completely wrong.

I had thought of surrender in terms of 'giving up', but I've learned that in the Christian sense, it's not that at all.

What Christian surrender is, is really subordination, the acknowledgement that God's will trumps ours.

It doesn't mean that we can't have our own wants, our own set of desires; indeed, being made in the image of God, we're supposed to have these.

We're supposed to want happy lives ("I am come that you may have joy, and that your joy will be full."), and health, and even prosperity. Nothing wrong with these; Jesus raised lazarus from the dead, which is kind of the ultimate expression of health, and Solomon was reputed to be the richest man in history (but even he didn't have an iPhone X, and at $1200 a pop, I can see why).

And we're supposed to work toward these. We're supposed to do out best.

There's a Japanese expression that fits here, ganbatte. It means, "Please continue to do your best."

We have a clue in ganbatte. The implicit meaning (and it's explicit in Samurai culture) is that doing your best is not an option. It's expected. There's no excuse for not giving a maximum effort. (Excuse is the Five Minute Friday prompt this week.)

But winning is not. Winning is secondary.

The Samurai have given us another glue, in the banner carried by the near-legendary Kusunoki Masashige, who famously - and willingly - met his end, honourably, at Minatogawa.

His banner carried the kanji characters, Hirihotenten.


The literal translation is "Thinking about debt is important; thinking about death is unimportant."

Debt, you see, is something we can control, and it's something God expects us to control.

But death is in God's hands, and thus the alternate translation of Hirihokenten:

"God's will."

We're expected to fight hard, to do our best. When the katana is broken, we draw the tanto, the dagger, and fight on...and when it's knocked from our hands, well, it's fists and fingernails and teeth.

But our end is God's will.

We do our best, and fight to the last, and ultimately put our fate in His hands.

And that's what surrender is all about.

A quick aside - when Masashige left his home for his rendezvous with destiny at Minatogawa, he left a letter for his wife, in which he wished that his life might be a spool of thread...and, unspooled, that he could live his time with her again. If that doesn't make you flat-out cry, you've got real problems.

Musical accompaniment comes from Needtobreathe (an all-time great Christian band), with Keep Your Eyes Open.


Please pardon my slow response to comments. I'm doing my best, and your comments are really precious to me.

Still hoping to get the new and improved version of Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart up and running in the near future. Just haven't had the energy to do it yet...but if you would like to read it, please say so in your comment and I'd be glad to send you a PDF (which should fit your Kindle).

I have another blog, "Starting The Day With Grace". The focus is a grace quote from someone you might not expect (like, say Mick Jagger) and a short commentary. I hope you'll join me.



Marley update... been moved to a sanctuary, and Bay County will revise their 'dangerous dog' codes.

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

And marley has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.


If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.









53 comments:

  1. O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.
    Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee.
    Prone to wander, Lord I fear it, prone to leave the God I love.
    Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.


    I do not fully understand the forgiveness of Jesus, but I am thankful every day for a fresh start and determined to serve wholeheartedly the one who gave everything for me.
    Glad to call you Brother, Andrew!
    Love,
    Tammy

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    1. Tammy, please forgive my tardy reply (really hard weekend, and a bad fall), and thank you so much for the lovely prayer!

      So honoured to be able to call you Sister, Tammy. Thank you for this.

      Love back, from all of us.

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  2. Never surrender friend! I'm in the 7 spot this week.

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    1. Tara, no worries, I never will give up. (And please pardon the late reply; had a bad fall over the weekend.)

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  3. I love how you integrated all of those Japanese words into this post. And the song. Love to you; thank you for your insight.

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    1. Paula, thank you so much, and I am delighted that you enjoyed the post and the song. (And please excuse my late reply.)

      Love back, from everyone here!

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  4. I had this profound (Ha!) comment all typed out. And I pushed "Send." And it erased. Blogspot hasn't been liking my computer. Sigh.

    So, I'll try to recollect what I was thinking. I loved this post, Andrew. It's profound. I've never thought of surrender in quite this way. You continue to amaze me with what you put out here each time you post.

    I saw in your words that the perspective we have will determine whether we are victorious or defeated. When we know we belong to Him, and we live "all in" for Him, we can be surrendered to His plans and yet move in power. Because of how God works in our lives. When we focus on the things we control (usually the way we respond to situations) and we live for God? We are surrendered and yet victorious.

    When we focus on the things we have no control over—those things God controls—and we try to gain control? We will end up discouraged and discouraged. You are living a powerfully surrendered life, my friend.

    I'm thankful for you, and praying for you and Barb!

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    1. Jeanne, in spite of blogspot's best efforts, you've got Profound absolutely nailed. Thank you so much for bringing this comment to the conversation...and thank you so much for your prayers...and for being you.

      And please pardon my tardy reply. I had a bad fall over the weekend. It did some damage.

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  5. I appreciate you writing. You always have something insightful to say and I always learn from your posts. I read the word excuse and thought what am I going to write? Then it just poured out of me. Sometimes those are the best ones. I am praying for you and Barb. Have a wonderful weekend. FMF #9

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    1. Karen, thank you so much for stopping by to keep me company, and please pardon my late reply. Had a bad fall over the weekend.

      I'm so grateful for your words, and I loved your post. Good stuff!

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  6. Andrew, you always give much to think on. Having recently lost a family member after a long and brave fight, this is what spoke to my heart this morning:
    "We do our best, and fight to the last, and ultimately put our fate in His hands. And that's what surrender is all about."

    May all our days be lived and surrendered to the beautiful and perfect will of our God. Thank you for sharing your words today, friend. You have no idea! Praying for you and Barb this morning. Blessings!

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    1. Joanne, first, I m so sorry for your loss.

      Thank you so much for your kind words, for your presence, and especially for your prayers. My reply is late because of a bad fall over the weekend, did some damage, and the prayers are truly appreciated.

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  7. Surrender, when I admit Jesus is enough and live putting Him first, is sweet. I loved every word of this post today. Thankful you surrender to the writing God puts in your heart. It fills mine with hope and joy.

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    1. Debbie, thank you so much! I think God had a long and frustrating time getting through to me, and I'm just grateful that He persevered.

      And please pardon my late response; it was a tough weekend, including a bad fall.

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  8. Great post, Andrew! Surrender was my word of the year, and I realised that I had misunderstood its meaning too. Doing our best and then handing it over to God is a wise way to live.

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    1. Lesly, it's such an easy word to misconstrue. The colloquial meaning is so different from the Christian one, but our culture really emphasizes the former.

      Thanks so much for being here, and please excuse the tardiness of my response. Had a bad fall over the weekend, and it did some damage.

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  9. I always hesitate to come over to your place - afraid of what I'll read. I live in denial. But surrender, God's version, is beautiful. You take all the time you need my friend. xo

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    1. Susan, I am just so glad you're here. Your presence, and your comments, mean more than I can ever, ever say. (And please excuse my delay in replying; I had a bad fall, messed me up a lot.)

      XOXOWaggyWaggyWOOF!

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  10. "...doing your best is not an option. It's expected. There's no excuse for not giving a maximum effort. But winning is not. Winning is secondary."

    This is something I am teaching my children in the homeschool as we disciple them in the Lord. It's a struggle even for adults, I see, to do our best with no expectation of a winning victory. I find that competition is a test of our own vulnerability-it demonstrates to us where our purpose lies: in vainglory, or in making Him preeminent in all we do...

    Thanks for this. Coming to you from FMF #11 this week.

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    1. Well-said, Erendira, and with you homeschooling, I have confidence in our shared future. Keep on, in the Faith!

      Thank you so much for being here, and please pardon my delay in replying. I had a bad fall, and it hurt me.

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  11. Those Japanese phrases are just fascinating, Andrew. There's an uncluttered simplicity there,as if we're getting down to the core of things, no unnecessary clutter. Maybe that is really what you are saying here: that we give up on what was always God's to do anyway, and just focus on what we can do in the moment and do it well.

    A long time ago I read an essay by the Japanese-Canadian architect, Raymond Moriyama. He describes how, when he graduated from university, his father gave him a piece of paper. On it was a small poem his father had written: "Into God's temple of eternity drive a nail of gold." I guess our role is to focus on our nail and let God take care of the temple of eternity.

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    1. Jeannie, thank you for this wonderful comment! (And pleas pardon my late reply; I had a bad fall, and I'm hurt.)

      I love the poem from Moriyama's father; indeed we are the nails, and God will take care of us in His Temple.

      Thank you so much for being here!

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  12. Well done. Well said. Enlightening. Encouraging. Thank you, Andrew.

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    1. Thank YOU, dear Norma, with all my heart.

      (And please pardon my late reply; I had a bad fall, and it did some damage.)

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  13. nice to see you this week andrew:) i loved your post and your definition of surrender. it is truly encouraging to know that GOD is in charge instead of us.

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    1. Thank you so much for being here, Martha! And God does a way better job of being in charge than I ever could.

      Please pardon the delay in my response; it was a bad weekend.

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  14. Thank you Andrew for describing that fine line we walk in trying hard but ultimately submitting. Some days I don't feel I try hard enough :(

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    1. Julie, thank you for this...and for what it's worth, we're almost always our worst critics. What we think of as 'not enough' is superhuman to others.

      Than you so much for being here, and please excuse my late reply.

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  15. "...doing your best is not an option. It's expected. There's no excuse for not giving a maximum effort. But winning is not. Winning is secondary."

    Really needed to read this today, my friend. Believe it or not, I'm anxious about pies. I don't have a reputation as a great cook/baker, but I'm taking two pies to church tomorrow. People might think they're awful. I needed this reminder that what matters is a did my best.

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    1. Marie, I am so glad this resonated with you! (And please pardon my delay in replying; had a bad fall, and got a bit damaged.)

      I am sure that the pies turned out great; would you send me one?

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  16. So good... as always! What a sacrifice and an offering your writing is! We know we can't know how much it costs you, brother! Praying for you!

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    1. Thank you so much, Karrilee. I won't pretend; writing costs a lot these days. It physically hurts.

      But to connect with dear friends like you, it's worth every tear.

      And please pardon my delayed reply; had a rough week.

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  17. Wow! No excuse for not doing our best. True, but hard. We all like to coast sometimes because it is easier. You always give great challenges , Andrew. Thank you! Love and peace to you!

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    1. Leigh, thank you so very much for this; your words are a treasure to me.

      And please pardon my tardy reply. Had a bad fall, and it did damage.

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  18. Wow, Andrew. This is awesome. I especially loved the subordination stuff. YES!!! Thanks SO much for sharing. Praying for you and yours.

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    1. Mari-Anna, thank you! I so appreciate your words, and most especially your prayers. I do need them; my reply is late because of a bad fall, and I am hurting.

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  19. I have a new favorite word, "ganbatte". Continue doing your best, even when and even if. You're right that it takes surrender—to place yourself in the care of another—to keep on keeping on. And surrender takes true, which never seems to come easily. It's why surrender is an active verb (one that take choice and decision)

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    1. janyre, I am so glad I could suggest a new favourite word...what an honour! And I never thought of it, but you're right...surrender is almost a prime example of an active verb. Thank you for bringing that to the conversation.

      And please pardon my late reply. It's been an awful week.

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  20. I love words, their origins, their connotations, etc. The Japanese culture and language is very beautiful. I found myself challenged to continue to answer the call of "ganbatte" even when I don't understand exactly what God is up to in my life. Thanks!

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    1. Mindy, thank YOU! I love words as well, and the Japanese language brings them nuance that is found in few other tongues.

      I'm so grateful for your comment, and I ask your pardon for my late reply. Very hard week.

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  21. I have never heard of that I will remember it. Thank you Andrew. Paul said to press on, leave behind and reach forward, fighting the good fight. all the time knowing nothing in this life is ultimate, except your relationship with Christ. And when that ultimate fate comes, by His will, not ours, then we will see all the effort was worth it. The best is yet to come Andrew! You have done your best and pushed beyond limits. You are awesome. Keep fighting but when God says enough, then fall into His arms. And you never know, sometimes a rest revives our strength for the next lap. Didn't write this week and I will make no excuses for it!! Prayers for you and Barb!

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    1. Mary, yes indeed, Paul was all for pressing on...and it's something I think we all have to remind ourselves of from time to time.

      I so appreciate your kind words, and your prayers. I ask your forgiveness for my late reply; a bad fall injured me rather badly.

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  22. Lovely post and great to meet you. Thanks for dropping by to my blog and leaving a comment.
    Blessings
    Janis

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    1. Janis, it's wonderful to meet you too! I really enjoyed your post, and look forward to reading more of your thoughts.

      Please pardon my delay in replying; I was injured in rather a bad fall.

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  23. I love the way you've distinguished for us the way the world views surrender from the way Christians view it, Andrew. I've known that but never really stopped to consider how different it is from the world's perspective. That's exactly why it is such a beautiful sacrifice to make ... unto the Lord!

    I'm so sorry to hear that you are continuing to suffer and go down hill. You've been so strong even in the times of weakness, but everyone has their limits. I'm praying that God keeps on stretching yours and that you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and beyond.

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    1. Beth, thank you for this...it is indeed a beautiful and honourable sacrifice, and I have the feeling that God claps His hands in delight when we see it clearly.

      Going downhill isn't fun, and I am beginning to wonder what the limits will be, what form they will take...but maybe it's that I'm supposed to describe just these limits, that I'm still here. I'll write under that assumption.

      We wish you guys a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with love, laughter, and God's Presence at your table, and everywhere in your lives.

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  24. Andrew, thank you for gifting me with a piece of your heart. As I read, I envisioned my brother saying these things - he's in heaven, having ultimately surrendered. Now you've got me in tears. lol I don't know you, but your words are flavored with urgency. I think about death often, but your post helped me realize I'm focusing on the wrong thing. For the very reason that none of us ever know when we'll draw our last breath, I ought to be focusing on life while I can. May He enable us to do just that. (Oh yeah, and I loved your humor. Solomon and an iPhone X! I literally laughed out loud!)

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    1. Oh, Pearl...I'm so sorry for your loss and your tears. But rest assured...I've had a number of near-death experiences, and death is anything but the end. It's the awakening.

      But yes, in the meantime, this life is our job, and it's important...vital...to God that we do our very best.

      Thank you so much for being here, and please pardon my delayed reply.

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  25. Are you part Japanese? You seem to enjoy that culture. I am a romantic and I like the story you quote about the man who wanted to relive his life with his wife. I am not sure of how long they were married, etc, but it must be a lovely story. That must have been such a rich life. I am a bit confused about "surrender" because I think of the song that says "you can never surrender" and that is the idea of most military leaders as well. Surrender usually means to fail, to expected the unexpected, and face some humiliation in some cases. I think in the religious sense you describe, it still is a form of giving it all up to Jesus, or god, putting all trust in them. It has a more positive connotation as long as one is willing to take that step and not be forced. Death, of course, is a surrender that nobody has yet ever avoided or conquered. So, to be prepared for the "surrender"is a good thing if one can do it. Though I do not want to die and leave my family with debts, I think when I am in the realm of dying, I might not want to think about my bills so much, but more about making peace with those I love and the idea of a final departure, and hopefully being with loved ones. I hope you have made that peace and wish that you continue to have love surround you in your final journey on this lovely and mysterious planet. I sense you are doing this very nicely. Love to you and those who will miss you and your spiritual contributions.

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    1. Sophia, thank you so much for this thoughtful comment (and please forgive my delayed reply). I'm actually Mongolian, but there is a common thread running through the East, and the horsemen of Genghis Khan (one of my direct ancestors) carried the Samurai ethos in their saddlebags.

      I don't want to die either, but I've come to ee that it has to be taken in a matter-of-fact way, not as some tragedy (and equally not in a false-face "Yay I'm going to Heaven" joy).

      Death hurts. It's a painful process to the dying, and perhaps worse or the loved ones, seeing the pain and being bereft.

      But there is something beyond this; I have seen it, in several near-death experiences. It's something far more beautiful than the Bible describes, because when you see it, it envelops you.

      Thank you so much for being here!

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  26. "
    "We do our best, and fight to the last, and ultimately put our fate in His hands.

    And that's what surrender is all about."

    Andrew, your wise words remind us of God's sovereignty and the release that comes in surrender to Him, even as we do what is within our power to do.

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    1. Esther, thank you so much for this...I truly appreciate this comment. You've warmed my heart.

      And please excuse my late reply. It's been a rough week.

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  27. To everyone whose comment I haven't answered...first, I apologise for my tardiness. I had a bad fall, and it's left some damage.

    Second, Blogger is acting weird; I can enter a general comment for this post, but not a reply. I can reply on other posts. I don't now what's going on!

    Please bear with me, and have a Happy Thanksgiving, filled with love, laughter, and a true appreciation of God's Grace.

    I love you all, with all my heart.

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