“Lord I’m Ready Now”–When You Need to Surrender

Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my decision to make a drastic lifestyle change which resulted in me giving up my full-time career to tend to some pressing family matters as well as to focus my energies more intentionally on using the gifts God has given me. It’s something I prayed to God about for a long time. I know that it was the right decision, but I have to admit, it is a little scary. However, God has shown me that he is faithful. New doors are beginning to open for me, and so I’m loving it.

Living this new lifestyle isn’t as easy for me as it might seem. It’s a complete change in mindset and even after two weeks of “freedom,” I still have to battle every day so as not get wrapped up in too many projects. I have a problem saying “no” to people, especially when it comes to something ministry-related. But I am beginning to see that, in some cases, that is exactly what I have to do, lest I find myself running in the rat race again and passing out on the side of the road.

You see, what I have come to understand is that it’s not necessarily that I needed to find the perfect balance between family, career and ministry. It’s more that I needed to learn how to put God first. I know now that I had things backwards. Even though in my heart I felt I was dedicated to all those pieces of the pie—the family, the career, and the ministry–I was so busy in my life that they all suffered. And now I realize that I was missing out on the most important thing, having a one-on-one relationship with God.

“So Lord, I am ready now.”

That’s what I have declared to Him. I talk to Him more and I try my best to listen to the things He says. I believe He’s been trying to show me many things about who He is, and about who I am in Him. I try to declare that I’m ready with confidence, but yes, I do feel a little shaky from my journey of discovery. But, I know that He is walking with me, and I am ready to place my trust in Him.

Perhaps you have a situation in your life that you have been wanting to surrender to God. You’ve been wanting to say to Him “Lord, I know that I have not always trusted in You like I should. And I know that sometimes I may have strayed from the path You wanted me to follow. But I am sorry Lord, and I’m ready now to get in line with Your will for my life.”

If that’s you, you might want to take a listen to the song “Lord, I’m Ready Now” (Curb Records, September 2014) by artist Plumb, also known as Tiffany Arbuckle Lee. I really like the lyric video for this song because it depicts a copy of Plumb’s book, titled Need You Now: A Story of Hope (Plumb, Susanna Foth Aughtmon, foreword by Amy Grant; Shoe Publishing/Street Talk Media, September 2014).

As Plumb sings, it appears as if the lyrics appear to be being written into the book at that very moment. Now, I haven’t read that book, but just from glancing at the pages that flipped by on the screen, she seems to talk about overcoming life’s challenges, and also about the importance of music in her life. To me, the way in which the book and the lyrics are shown in the video reminds me of the Hebrews 12:2, which tells us that Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

Plumb sings, “I just let go. I feel exposed. But it’s so beautiful ‘cause this is who I am. I’ve been such a mess … ” She continues at the hook with, “Lord I’m ready now, all the walls are down… I ran away from you and I did what I wanted to, but I don’t wanna let you down.” She is determined to carry on with her plans to surrender to the Lord no matter what.

I think of this song as having a reality-check conversation with the Lord. As you’re listening, it’s as if you’re admitting “Lord I messed up.” Or it may not even be that you messed up, but just that you need help in making some adjustments to your life, like me in correcting my hectic lifestyle. Whatever the case, it’s as if you’re saying, “Lord, I’m ready now to listen and to do what you say.” That is an important conversation that we all are likely to need to have with the Lord, often more than once. After all, none of us is perfect.

So if today you find yourself at the point where you are tired of running away from God, tired of making excuses, or just plain tired, have a listen. Talk to God about your situation. He is a God of second chances. Yes, cast your cares on Him, ask for His plan for your life, and then declare to Him with boldness, “Lord, I’m ready now.”

Lord I’m Ready Now
Artist: Plumb
Curb Records, September 2014

What are you reserving from God? What do you need to surrender to Him and how do you need to be “ready now?”