Wow, 20, 2020. These number combos are always striking when I stumble into them. Today I’m hit with a message from Oswald Chambers that says, “We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty, not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience–all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends.” (I Corinthians 1:26-31).

I read this and then I began to read Acts 5. The disciples by now have built such a reputation among the people that the sick were finding healing by simply being in the shadow of Peter. It wasn’t long ago for Peter that he was still trying to please Jesus from his own natural ability. By now he’d learned that his own skills weren’t what Jesus was after. Jesus needed his full obedience and from that Peter freed the Holy Spirit to do all He intended to do. It wasn’t through Peter’s ability, but through his surrender and then obedience.

God is really wanting me to learn full surrender and full obedience. I don’t want to fight this but I find myself all too often relying on “my own understanding” as I approach day to day activities. I truly want to be part of God’s compelling purpose as I better surrender each day. The last part of Oswald’s statement is that we will then be His friend. We do trust a friend fully. This I want to do with Jesus–trust Him fully. Teach me Lord–Teach me Lord.