Life to the Full

By Brandi Hafler

Have you ever had a conversation, and thought of the perfect thing that you wished that you had said hours after the conversation had ended? This happens to me frequently, but a particular instance still crosses my mind. 

A few years ago, I was attending the nurse’s pinning ceremony for a woman who would eventually become my daughter-in-law. I found myself sitting next to a family member with whom I had a fractured relationship. We had not talked in over ten years, and our connection before that time was full of conflict. As we sat waiting for the ceremony to begin, we attempted awkward conversation. I asked him what he was up to, and he asked what I had been doing. When I informed him that I am now a pastor, he was surprised. Those who knew me as a youth would not have seen this as part of my future, which is a piece of my story that I share to show that God can, and will, use anyone to do His work. But I will save that story for another time.

Once we moved past the surprise, he said, “I’ve been doing good. God’s been keeping me out of trouble.” I know that his life has been one of instability and turmoil, and currently is not led by faith in God. But out of the awkwardness of the moment, I only responded with, “That’s good,” and the conversation moved on.

Later, I began listing all of the things that I wish that I had told him. I had an opportunity, an open door to give hope, and I ¬allowed my discomfort to push me right past it. Now I replay that conversation in my head with the words that I want to say, hoping that I will not miss that opportunity again, with him or someone else. 

In case you see God as a strict authority figure who just wants to see you do all of the right things, I will share with you what I hope to share with this family member one day. 

God loves you. He doesn’t love you for the trouble that you are not in, or the sins that you do not commit. He loves you because He created you. He pieced you together before you were born. (Psalm 139:13) He loves you so much that He created you in His likeness. (James 3:9) Just like when He created Adam and Eve, He created you and saw that His work was very good. (Genesis 1:31) 

He doesn’t just want to keep you out of trouble. He wants to give you life to the full. (John 10:10) He wants to give you a beautiful life of meaning and purpose. (Ephesians 2:10) He wants to take your life that is full of regrets and your heart that carries the effects of your sins, and wash them clean. (Hebrews 10:22) He wants to set you free from a past that weighs you down, from lies that you have been led to believe about your great value, and from the fears that control you. (John 8:36) 

He wants to give you peace. (John 16:33) Not peace that comes from lack of conflict, because that is not possible on earth. He wants to give you peace that holds you steady during times of conflict. Peace that you can stand on when the storms come. 
Peace that extends beyond the experiences and baggage of this life. 

In order to receive the love, life, freedom, and peace that God wants to give to you, you must give back to Him what already belongs to Him: Yourself. Instead of pushing forward against the currents using only your limited strength, and navigating complicated situations and relationships using your limited perspective, hand the reigns over to the One who knows all, sees all, and is greater than all. Surrender. Let go, and let God fill you with all of the good things that He is waiting patiently to give you. 

Surrender requires an initial decision to begin your new life in and with Christ. It starts with giving your life to Him. It requires confessing the habits, relationships, and things that pull you away from Him, turning away from them to the best of your ability, and asking Him for forgiveness.  

It also requires a daily decision, asking God to help you let go of what you are still holding onto, and to help you turn away from sins that you are unable to turn away from by your own strength. 

If you struggle with finding the words to surrender, I encourage you to search for “Prayers of Surrender” using any search engine. I recommend The Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition, which I pray daily. 

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Brandi Hafler is the Connections Pastor at All Shores Wesleyan Church in Spring Lake. She loves spending time with her family, telling stories, and wearing silly socks. You can read more of her writing online at FoundUponTheWaves.com.