Surrender and Recharge

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The last week of June I spent at church camp as a counselor responsible for 10 little girls ages 10-11. I absolutely love them!  We have so much fun!  But what I enjoy even more is the experience and escape from the world. For 6 days I am surrounded by people who have a heart to serve and a love for our Lord that is evident. I look forward to this time every year as a recharge for my spiritual battery.  The time on the "hill" is restorative and full of encouragement. It differs from other spiritual rejuvenation times because it also is a true escape from the world. No television, iPODs, world news, or other life distractions.

 I realize that a week away isn't always feasible for everyone to have and that's not really my point. But what is evident is that when we truly separate ourselves from the world we are able to experience God in complete awareness. We recall how His love for us is completely satisfying and how our faith leads us to fully surrender ourselves. In order for us to fulfill his purpose for our lives, as outlined in the above scripture, we must surrender and recharge.

I encourage you and your family to turn the TV off, go one night without watching the news and dedicate that time to prayer, scripture and praise. Sing a few devotional songs - they are a sure fix to any thing bringing you down!  Soften your heart and find an intimate time with the one who made you perfectly in His image!  Then you will be recharged to serve as a well equipped member of the body.

Michelle Tittor

Grapevine TX