Dangerous Surrender Chapters 1 and 2

Ok so I have been reading this book by Kay Warren for a lot of reasons. First, Angel talked it up and said it was great. She is doing an online book club on her site, Voice of Adventure. Check it out. Secondly, its about how she surrendered to God's call in her life and went on a path that completely unknown to her. God gave her a passion for people that she knew nothing about. I feel that we are kinda in that same spot right now. And last, its about HIV/AIDS and Africa.

I am going to just admit it. I know just about NOTHING about AIDS. Just thinking about AIDS freaks me out a little. I never even wanted to consider adopting from Africa because of it. But God had different plans, now didn't he? He wants to use me in the experience and pull me away from what is comfortable. I thought, "Sure God, I'll adopt! How about any Latin American country? I mean I speak Spanish pretty well, I am familiar with the culture, Texas is pretty much completely Hispanic anyways, and its only a hop, skip, and a jump to whatever country we choose!" Nope. God wants me to surrender to him. He wants to stretch me, make me lean on him, give up my control to him.

So here is what I liked about Chapters 1 and 2. Hopefully, you will like it too and start to read it also!
Chapter 1

We refuse to talk about the painful, disturbing subjects--child prostitution, child labor, rape, poverty, injustice, ethnic hatred, greed, materialism, environmental destruction, HIV/AIDS. These are disturbing topics. But if we're not disturbed by the world in which we live, we will be consumed with the trivial, the insignificant, and the temporary.

I like this because I don't want to be naive and sit on my couch and not think that there are people in the world that are suffering. Luke 12:48 says "Much is required from those to whom much is given." Let's just say when I get to heaven and God says what did you do with all of the blessings I gave to you? I want to be able to tell him something! I did not earn the place that I was born, or the family that I have, or my cushy middle class position in society. God blessed me with those things and I want him to be able to use me in the fullest possible way.

When we sense God leading us on a new journey, we want all of the information up front. .... For you to become a seriously disturbed, surrendered person of faith, you will have to be willing to say yes in advance-- to give God your answer before you've heard the question.

Ok whoa! Seriously that's not even nice. I KNOW THIS IS ME! I am aware. Thank you. The end.

Chapter 2

The more we accept that he operates out of love for us, the more we will entrust ourselves to him.... God is not a spy looking to surprise you. He is not an enemy lurking in the shadows to hurt you. God is your Father who loves you, and wants to help you if you will but trust in his goodness.

Ok, again. I admit it. I all too often see God as the the guy in heaven who is going to strike me down when I don't do things right. He is going to stop blessing me. He is going to take everything away from me and see if I still say I believe the things I do. He is going to test me over and over to make sure I am sincere by sending pain to my life. This is not how God operates. I know that in my head but it is hard for my heart to always understand it. This is something that I have had to learn a lot about. I still have to repeat to myself that God loves me and wants good things from me. He is my Father. This is something I have a hard time dealing with sometimes.

That's what it means to follow Jesus- saying yes and trusting that he won't let us fall even when we can't see where he is leading.

Here is the bottom line: Figuring out God's ways isn't any of my business, following Him is.

Trusting. That step of faith. Saying ok to God even when you're not sure what the end will look like. That's where I am, and its kinda scary:)

Hope you liked it. Feel free to comment and tell me what you think:) Ok super long post. I am out.