white flag at half-mast

Here we are. It’s good to be back.

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2018 was to write more, and although I’ve written plenty more research papers, book reviews, and presentations, I’ve neglected writing here.

But here we are. And it’s good to be back.

I’ve titled this post “white flag at half-mast.”

This is a blog about something the Lord has been speaking to me for months now, but before I explain the meaning, let me take you back for a second.

About three months ago on a Wednesday night I was driving home from a church service when some frustration with God began to build up in me. I decided to turn off the music (something very rare in a car ride with me) and hash it out with Him.

The conversation went something like this:

“Okay God. Hey. Here’s the thing – I literally do not understand why this is happening to me. EVERYTHING else in my life is good. You’ve provided me an incredible job, incredible friends, incredible internships… everything else in my life is a dream. But this ONE thing, no matter the circumstance, you never seem to give to me. And I’m fed up. Every time I think I’ve finally arrived, I’m reminded of this one promise you’ve failed to complete. I don’t get it. I’ve given you EVERYTHING –”

 

Right then, He cut me off. I heard Him so clearly say “Everything, hmm? You say you’ve given me everything… but this one area you want to see me bless, you’re not willing to hand over to me. I’ll bless it when you let me.”

 

Ouch.

That one stung.

 

Here I am, thinking I’ve surrendered everything to Him, when in reality… the one thing I’m waiting to see Him bless, I’m not willing to hand over.

 

So I’m writing this blog to ask you – is there one area of your life that you feel like you’re lacking the Lord’s blessing? If so, can you honestly say you’ve fully handed it over to Him?

 

When thinking on this, I’m reminded of a story a Pastor once shared with me about a little girl and her pearls. To summarize, there was a young girl who had a beautiful but fake pearl necklace. Each night her dad would come to her and she would tell him how much she loved him, but when her dad would ask for her pearls, she’d reply saying “I love you so much – but I can’t give you my pearls.” Her dad would let her know that he loved her too, and that it was okay. The cycle continued for many nights, when finally one night the little girl, very distraughtly, agreed to give her dad her fake pearls. She said that she loved him so much, she was willing to give him her precious pearls. The dad appreciatively took her fake pearls, and though she waited momentarily, he later returned to her with a new gift – something better. He gave the little girl REAL pearls. It was a necklace that resembled her old one, but was indeed so much more beautiful, and so much more extravagant.

 

Every time I’ve heard this story I quickly realize that I’m the little girl, and that God is the father. My pearls are the one thing in my life that I just don’t think I can trust Him to take care of – I can’t seem to give them to Him. But I’m continuously having to remind myself that HE has things in store for me that are so much more extravagant and incredible than I could ever think or imagine.

 

So whether you’re reading this in the morning, in the middle of the night, or at 4pm… I want to challenge you to do this one thing: target what your pearls are.

 

The Lord called me OUT – my flag’s at half-mast. Here I am thinking I’ve done it. I’ve waved the white flag. I’ve given my all. In reality, I had forgotten that as a follower of Christ I need to surrender myself, daily. It’s not a one and done thing – it’s a lifestyle. I want to live in a lifestyle of surrender.

 

So my word of encouragement for you – rest in knowing that His ways are far greater than your own. He is our father, just waiting for us raise our white flags and hand over our pearls. Are you willing to do that in order to receive the blessings He has in store for you? I hope so.

-M

 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9