Devotional: Significance & Surrender
What does God do when He draws near? In Acts 8:1-40 we see how the Spirit works through Philip as he lived a life surrendered to God. If obedience means listening to God after He speaks, surrender means fully committing to God before He speaks. As C.S. Lewis put it, surrender stirs God to “conquer us with His love.” Through surrender, the King of Kings bows before the ones He died to save. A surrendered life is a life fully soaked in significance.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the difference between obeying God and surrendering to Him?
- Peter and John took over the ministry that Philip started. Why would God invite us to place our time and resources into something only to lay it down? Are you willing to let it go even after the dream is fulfilled?
- Where is significance found: in the fulfillment or in the surrender? Why?
- What do you want more: the promises of God fulfilled or the presence of God Himself? Why does God sometimes delay or even deny answering our prayers? What defines your identity and “success”: what you get from God or who you are to God?
- Read Acts 8:28-29. What was the Eunuch reading? Who spoke too Philip? Are you surrendered and listening to the Spirit when reading the Word of God? Or are you keeping the Word captive to your own desires and agenda?
- What would God do in you and with you if you surrendered even before God speaks? Are you ready to place the significance of your every worry, hope and desire completely on God?
- Read Acts 21:8-9. What kind of legacy does surrender accomplish? What did Christ’s surrender on the cross accomplish for you? Whether it’s a job, marriage, children, or hopes and dreams, will you surrender?