The Faith to Surrender
Seek First: Yielding to the Potter’s Plans
The gospel of Luke begins with two divine “birth announcement.” One predicts the arrival of John the Baptist and one promises the birth of the Messiah. Elizabeth and Mary, mothers of these promised sons, were not merely tied by family relationship but also by their eyebrow-raising pregnancies. Each woman–one unexpectedly pregnant in her old age and one surprised by pregnancy in her youth– was asked to carry an unexpected piece of God’s Kingdom puzzle, a baby who would help to fulfill God’s elaborate plan of salvation. While John and Jesus could in no way be compared (one was fully flesh; the other was the WORD made flesh), their prenatal days were marked by one common denominator. As these mighty Kingdom Players floated peacefully in amniotic fluid, words of prophecy were spoken over their lives. Before bellies had begun to protrude, before the first flutter of life had been detected by their awe-struck mothers, the angel Gabriel gave a glimpse of the “mold” God had designed for each child.
“You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord…” Gabriel told a stunned Zachariah as the angel painted a picture of John’s life.
“He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” Gabriel revealed as he forecast the Messiah whom would be placed in Mary’s womb.
We may be prone to wish that we, too, were privy to prophecy over our children’s lives. Surely it would be easier to surrender our “clay” if the Potter would just tell us what He was planning to create. Yet, look closely at the whole disclosure and imagine yourself as the parent receiving the news. True, John would be “great in the eyes of the Lord” (for what more could a parent hope?), but hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah had also penned a glimpse into John’s life. “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the lord’s coming!” (Isaiah. 40:31). Matthew records, “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locust and wild honey.” (Mt 3:4). Imagine being John’s parents when their child left home to pursue a life far from civilization. Imagine fielding the questions of well-meaning townspeople. “So, what is John doing these days?” Uhh… hanging out in the wilderness, eating bugs and calling for wide-spread repentance.
And what about Mary? While she was told Jesus would save his people, she was also told by Simeon, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (Luke 2:33-35). How’s that for a glimpse into a child’s future (and vision of his mother’s destiny)?
Zechariah and Elizabeth; Mary and Joseph had to confront pieces of their beloved sons’ designs that they didn’t like or understand. Don’t “dehumanize” these parents! Though our worlds are separated by time and culture, these parents, like us, had dreams for their firstborns. They desired safety, respect, and favor for their sons, yet the high calling God had on each man’s life ultimately led to an end that no parent would choose for their beloved. John was beheaded, the victim of a pompous king’s pride (see Mark 6:14-29), while Jesus died a criminal’s death on the cross at Calvary (Mark 15:24-40).
It took faith for these godly parents to surrender their precious clay to the Potter. They may have enjoyed the beauty of the mold cast for their children’s lives, but embedded in the masterpiece were dark streaks that even the most righteous of parents would struggle to accept. Our call to surrender is no different. We must choose to trust God even when don’t understand what He is sculpting. Imagine how the world would be changed if Elizabeth had not allowed John to head to the wilderness (You’ll be safer at home, son. Don’t go). Or if Mary had locked Christ in the carpentry shop so he could lead a “safe” and non-confrontational life (I know you want to save the world, but the world is such a scary place!).
Surrendering our children’s uniques lives into the hands of God is a monumental act of faith. May we have the courage to do so each and every day!
Parent’s Pondering: What are my hopes and dreams for my children? What are God’s dreams for them? Ask God for the faith to let your children follow His plans, not yours!
