Day 18 - A Surrendered Heart

Listen to The Podcast

A Surrendered Heart - Connor Mayes

“KEEP GOING. I DON’T CARE IF YOU ARE TIRED. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT!”

These are the words shouting in my ear as a young man on the football field. It’s a hot August night and I hear these words from across the field with sharp whistles in between. I remember doing conditioning until I couldn’t feel my legs and the thought of being on the couch became mouth-watering.

My coach at the time wanted us to become men that didn’t quit, and learn how to give all of ourselves to a craft. We learned what it meant to feel pain and keep going. At the end of the day, that looked like giving every ounce of our being to something bigger.

This is the “ask” of our Savior when speaking to Peter, moments after the resurrection. Jesus asks him to “feed my sheep” and then asks another very interesting question. Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter responds with “of course”. Jesus then goes on to ask the same question two more times.

Why would Jesus do this? Why wouldn’t he just take Peter’s word for it?

I believe Jesus wanted Peter to truly understand that what was being asked of him (‘feeding His sheep’) was going to take EVERYTHING he’s got. Jesus was asking for every ounce of Peter’s being to be surrendered to the will of the Father. And sincerely surrendering our lives to Jesus requires true love.

So my question for you today is this … Do you love Him? Do you love Him? Do you love Him?

You do?

Then give your life fully to Him.

Strive every day to surrender every inch of your heart to Jesus.

If you are going to “give it all you’ve got” why wouldn't you give it all to The One who commands storms to stop? Why not surrender your heart to The One who brings the dead back to life? Why not surrender your heart to The One who is willing to hang on a cross for you?

Do you love Him?

Scripture Reading: John 21:15-19

Spiritual Practice

Listen to I Surrender sung by Taya Smith

As you listen to the song, every time the word “surrender” is in the song, write down the words “Do you love me?”

Once the song is over, contemplate: “Do I love you, Lord?” and sit in that moment until you feel as though you are finished.