SURRENDER

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?…..Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12:22-28

Worry. What are you worried about today? What are you trying to control today? What do you hope happens today? Take a breath. Jesus invites us into His amazing, indescribable peace….a peace we can have every moment of every day. Soak in the truth that you are His daughter, He loves you so much, and He wants to be in control of your life so that you do not have to!

We can list a million things to fret about in our daily routine at the studio, at home, or at school. Think about what kind of state your heart and mind get into when you are worrying. Soak in the fact that Jesus wants us to learn from the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. They are not hustling about, frantic to find food, or in a hurry to grow. They are in a state of surrender to their Maker because He can take better care of them then they can because He made them and He knows how they are designed to function.

He made you. He knows how you are designed to function. He does not want you to live your life in a state of worry. You know that audition coming up, that rehearsal tomorrow you have been worried about, that job you have been hoping for, that child you have been praying for…..all He wants is for you to release your grip…..to surrender it to Him. I love this quote from Chuck Swindoll:

“Surrender always results in surprises we would have never otherwise experienced. Usually the things that are the biggest struggles to surrender, result in the biggest surprises.” He goes on to say, “God’s plan for my life is so much better than my plans. I literally do not have to manipulate, make things happen, pull strings, or work it all out.”

So often in a ballet company we are in a constant state of striving. Striving to impress the director, to get the role we want, and to move up the ladder. It is competitive and that can lead to a sense of dread, stress, and tension. What if you let go of striving? What if you just danced because you love it and did not worry who is watching?

I hope you dance from your heart today at the studio and dance through your day raising kiddos or whatever you are doing, resting in Christ’s care, letting Him carry your worries.
A song on my heart by Matt Redman:

“Never once did we ever walk alone.
Never once did You leave us on our own.
You are faithful, God you are faithful.”

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank You that just like You take care of Your creation, the birds and the flowers, You take perfect care of me. Help me daily surrender every burden, every worry, and every stress. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit in me helps me surrender. Help me REMEMBER daily to surrender because so often I forget, and sometimes it feels easier to worry and try to control every situation. You are so good.”