We might say that a surrendered will and a stubborn will don’t fit into the same person.
Submission to God, and an unconditional giving up of one’s self, is a requisite that follows the realization of a need for the blood of Jesus on the cross; the awareness that we cannot receive forgiveness and ultimately become a follower of Christ without this submission.
I do not consider myself an authority regarding the grace extended by Christ. Therefore, I have few thoughts on when exactly the grace of Christian living is affected by the loss of a full commitment to serve Christ.
We have many examples in the Bible that allude to God extending a significant amount of time to people as “they find themselves”. Jonah, the Old Testament prophet would be a prime example. First, he refused to go where God wanted him to go. Subsequently, when he found himself in the belly of the fish, he became willing. Then, when Jonah’s message to the Ninevites was effective, God gave them a second chance. Ironically, Jonah balked at this generosity on God’s part. Even though, in the same way as He had accorded Jonah a second chance, God offered the Ninevites another chance. Jonah became resentful. After all, God had said that the whole city was to be destroyed! Here poor old Jonah had made a fool of himself! Jonah wasn’t getting it! This is a prime example of stubbornness.
A friend recently told me that he had committed to journal for his devotional time. My friend was an accomplished singer. Each morning he woke with a different song on his heart. He would then journal his thoughts on the song. It was such a blessing! Life threw him headlong into busy-ness. Business, Family, Church. It was evident something had to go. So, he discontinued his journal. Well, guess what! He no longer woke up with a song in his heart. What evidence that God feeds those that wish to be fed!
I suppose stubbornness could be defined in many ways. I don’t feel impressed to define the topic. Rather I would like to ask some questions. What price are we willing to pay? Is “doing a Jonah” really worth it? Or would we rather wake up with a song on our lips?
