“I’m heading over to Johnsonville this weekend,” I said to Stan one morning. “You know any good place I might have lunch on Saturday?”
“I do,” Stan said. “I was over there a couple of weeks ago. There’s a new place I tried and it was very good.”
“What’s it called and where is it?” I asked.
“It’s called Cathy’s Cafe and it’s on Grand Street right in the middle of downtown,” Stan replied. “Pretty easy to find.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll check it out. What did you have?”
“A salmon Caesar salad that was fabulous. It not only tasted great, but the salad led me to reflect on my faith walk.”
“You must be kidding,” I said. “How could a salad relate to your faith walk?”
“I was thinking about something Julius Caesar is reported to have said.”
“That’s a different Caesar isn’t it?” I asked.
“It is,” Stan replied. “I don’t think Julius was much of a salad maker, but it occurs to me that something he is reported to have said is the exact opposite of what we are supposed to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Supposedly, after a quick victory in a battle, Julius Caesar sent a letter to the Roman Senate that said, ‘I came; I saw; I conquered’.”
“So?”
“For me,” Stan replied, “and it seems that for all of us, the last part is not what God wants or expects from us.”
“After way too long,” he continued, “I came and I finally saw Jesus; then I surrendered to Him. I think that’s what God has for each one of us.”
“Come; see; surrender,” I repeated. “That sounds kind of like the first step of discipleship, the part about denying self. You think that’s a fair statement?”
“I do,” Stan replied. “I also think that God does too!”
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Bible verses to consider:
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24.
But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, . . . Luke 9:23.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving your Son Jesus to the world so that all who believe can have life eternally with you when it’s time. Thank you, too, for all you have for me while you keep me on this side of eternity — all that is available when I surrender all of me to all of you. I confess that too often I do not surrender to you, but I choose to surrender to self, and to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Please forgive that foolishness and please help me in following every step of your lead so I am fully surrendered to you all of the time. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you surrendered to God so that you know you will spend eternity in His presence when it’s time? If no, why? God’s free and gracious provision is available to be accepted. If you do have the assurance of salvation for eternal purposes, how are you doing with surrendering all to God in Christ on this side of eternity? If you sense changes may be in order for your surrender, how are those changes going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 