TORE UP FROM THE FLOOR UP

Surrendering your all to God also includes surrendering your desire to remain the same. And that can be hard, especially when you’re content with the way things are. Change is scary. Change is hard. But to walk in the new way that God has prepared for you (Isaiah 43:18-19), you have to surrender your will and control to Him, and then prepare to be changed!

Isaiah 64:8 – But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Romans 12:1 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Lessons Learned

I recall visiting the Terracotta Army archaeological site in Xian, China. The terracotta army is a collection of re-built terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It was the belief of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and most of the citizens of that day that you would spend five years in an afterworld following one’s death. To be set up in the afterworld, one would need to take whatever they’d need with them. So many would bury with them tiny replicas of houses, chariots, people, etc. And if you lived a good life in the afterworld, you could then return to this world reincarnated into something special. Emperor Qin Shi Huang decided that to have power, protection and wealth in the afterworld, he would need to build his army and his kingdom, to be buried with him so he’d have it when he died. So he employed hundreds of thousands of workers to build over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses. These sculptures were intricately patterned, and each one was unique in design. And millions of dollars, thousands of hours, and hundreds of men were dedicated to this endeavor.

In 1974, farmers discovered pieces of the terracotta army figures, and a huge excavation project is underway to uncover and preserve every piece to put the figures back together again. 

While there, I watched in fascination, thinking, “Wow, what a great historical wonder. Wow, what a waste of time, resources, and energy, then and now.” Because all of this putting back together will result in a bunch of restored statues that will be just as lifeless now as they were then. I also remember thinking, I’m so glad that my reconstruction process is full of meaning and purpose, resulting in a life transformed.

Lessons Lived

I know this process of change sounds scary and complex, but I guarantee you that your life in the hands of the Potter is sweeter than anything you could ever hope for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I remember the day I threw up my hands in surrender, not because I wanted to, but because I had no other choice. I was a pregnant full-time student, alone, jobless, in need of a place to live, and unsure how I would finish school and care for myself and a baby. Sure, I tried it my way for a while, but that didn’t seem to be working. And finally got to the end of my rope, fell to my knees, and begged Christ to take the wheel because my life in my hands was a disaster in the making. Those few words, “Jesus, I give,” was all it took for Him to turn my life around and to get me on the right course – a far better, greater, more fulfilling course! Did my circumstances change? No. I was still pregnant, in need of shelter and an income. But what did change was me. God gave me a peace that surpassed all understanding. He changed how I viewed problems and challenges. He changed how I viewed success and relationships, and He built my faith with each and every answered prayer. 

Now don’t get me wrong, for those of you who have never been broken, the molding process can be, well, painful. Because to mold you, He’ll have to break you. But don’t worry, because once He puts you back together, gives you a Heavenly makeover, you’ll be the masterpiece He designed you to be (Isaiah 64:8). And for those of you who are broken right now, what do you have to lose? 

Surrender your all to Him today. Place your life in the hands of the Potter and allow Him to recreate you, fully restoring you to the one He designed you to be. 

Get “tore up from the floor up” – God style – and I guarantee your life will never be the same again.

Reflections

  1. How does Isaiah 64:8 speak to you?
  2. How does Romans 12:2 speak to you?
  3. Get some clay or some Play-Doh and work with it, making whatever you wish. How does this process make you feel?
  4. How does your clay work compare to Jeremiah 18:1 – 12 and Isaiah 64:8?
  5. Imagine your re-molded life. What would your life in God’s hands look like compared to your life now?
  6. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
    1. Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices?
    2. Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
    3. Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages or stories can reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
    4. Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

Playlist

As you process, digest, and apply what’s been shared, here are a few songs from my “I Surrender All” Playlist. Listen and let the music infiltrate your soul. Read the lyrics and let the words encourage you. And I pray that you’ll be blessed as I was. 

Come Just as You Are by Crystal Lewis – Crystal Lewis – Come Just As You Are

Prayer