I’ve got some sort of deep joy today that’s carrying me through not enough sleep, a crazy busy schedule and some very painful relational issues. Got me thinking about why I’m so full of life and energy. How’s my relationship with God? Could that be it?

What’s the ideal percent to surrender to God? Not theoretically, because we all agree it’s 100%. But practically, emotionally, even selfishly. What’s the best case scenario? The perfect balance of me still getting to do what I want, or being able to say “no” at least some of the time.

A lot people have chosen 0%. Live my own life. Make my own decisions. No one’s going to tell me what to do. We all know how that story ends. The Bible describes this loneliness:

God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. – Psalm 68:6

Another popular option is somewhere around 50%. This sometimes breaks down into actual hours of the week. Like, at home and at church I follow Jesus, and then at work and with my friends I don’t. This sounds a lot like people-pleasing, which is the opposite of God-pleasing.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24

The ones I feel most sorry for are the ones surrendering 99% of their lives. Probably because I’ve been there. You have to try so hard to do everything right, be loving, forgive everyone, work on your issues, have faith, share the gospel, serve in church, be a good worker, a good husband, a good dad, a good neighbor,…. The demands are overflowing, but the joy isn’t. Jesus says that’s because weren’t actually doing his will. Because he didn’t know us.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23

How do you let someone know you? By not holding back. 100% surrender to Jesus gives him my list and sets me free. This is the mystery of the gospel. I think it’s a mystery every day. So elusive. But today was that kind of day for me. I gave him everything, once again, and he gave me life to the fullest, despite my circumstances.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. – Luke 17:33

Hallelujah!