I was listening to a Vineyard CD of Songs of Surrender, and reflected on how I have been indirectly blessed by John Wimber, a man I’ve never met. Through Vineyard music; through his wife Carol’s moving biography of him The Way it Was; through the Toronto Blessing, which was launched in a Vineyard church, now called “Catch the Fire,” where my daughter Zoe is currently at the School for Ministry; and through ministries launched after a meeting with Wimber, like Harnhill Christian Centre.
John Wimber used to say, “I am just loose change in God’s pocket. He can spend me as he pleases.”
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This summer, I heard Heidi Baker say, “I am a puppet in God’s hands. He can move me which way he pleases.”
And it’s interesting that these two people who have expressed such absolute surrender have also had amazing fruitful ministries, affecting thousands.
When I read of music inspired by God like the Messiah, or poetry or prose almost dictated by God, I long to be “in the vine,” surrendered to him, living in him, so that nothing in me presents an obstacle to the free flow of his grace, power and ideas. So that the channels, the pipeline of communication between God and me remain clear.
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However, my heart does not quite echo these expressions of total surrender like the Methodist Covenant Prayer.
We do not have exactly the same relationship with any two human beings. There is a slightly different level of trust, familiarity, relaxation, and commonality of interests.
So too, I guess no two of us have exactly the same relationship with God. “A puppet on a string,” “spare change in God’s pockets to spend as he wills” does not quite express my relationship with God.
I believe I would accept God’s dealings with me, whatever…
But I use other metaphors to express my relationship with God—dancing with the Lord; standing in the waterfall or river of God, an eagle waiting on the edge of its nest for the mounting winds of the spirit before it glides effortlessly into the winds of the storm.
How about you? Which metaphors best express your relationship with God?
More from my site
On Planting Secret Seeds for the Kingdom and for the Love of Jesus. And on a Role Model of Christian Leadership
On Absolute Surrender. Killing “Isaac” for God’s Fullest Blessing.
The Best Thing You Can Do with your Life: Sign it Over. (Inspired by Bill Bright.)
10 Reflections after Listening to Heidi Baker
On the Goodness and Mercy of God. On the writing of “Isn’t He?” by John Wimber
