Have you ever considered what a full surrender would do in and through your life?

In the 1991 movie Hook, Robin Williams plays the grown-up Peter Pan, who has returned to Neverland and finds himself trying to prove, to the still-young Lost Boys, that he is, in fact, Peter Pan. The Lost Boys cannot recognize Peter as he has grown old, gained weight, wears glasses, and has wrinkles. Tinker Bell, who knows this aged man to be the real Peter Pan, convinces some of the Lost Boys to give Peter a second look.

After everyone has given up, the smallest of the Lost Boys makes his way over to Peter, guides him down to his knees so that he can be face to face, and gives Peter a closer look. He removes Peter’s glasses, and with both hands, pushes back the wrinkles on his forehead, straightens out the lines surrounding his eyes, and then pushes the fat on his cheeks far out of the way to remove the many years. While holding the wrinkles back, he looks into Peter’s eyes. He declares, “Oh, there you are, Peter!”—a revelation that causes many of the cynical and unbelieving Lost Boys to rush over with joy and become filled once again with hope.

I believe this to be the problem with the bride of Christ today. We have allowed complacency to fatten the church, selfishness to add many wrinkles, organization, legalism, and politics to dull her vision. Meanwhile, the world around us still hears and sees us but cannot recognize the once purpose-driven organism that had the power to change the world. I am convinced that once we surrender again to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the lost people in this world will give us a closer look, push back our wrinkles, dysfunction, and sin, and declare, “Oh, there you are Church!”

Stepping off a ship, D.L. Moody arrived back in America from a trip to Europe, where he attended a revival held by Reverend Varley. During that revival, Varley challenged the congregation with the statement, “This world has yet to see what God could do with someone totally surrendered to Him.” With those words still resonating in his heart, Moody took his first step off that ship and uttered, “God, with your help, I aim to be that man.” 

What would happen to the world around us if the One within us could be seen free from distractions, distortions, and dysfunction? What if this world could see the church? 

Scripture: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.” -Romans 12:1, ESV

Question: Would you be willing to admit that over the years, your dedication to Christ and passion for His mission have been weakened by the things of this world?

Prayer: Father, I confess that I am not who I was when I first professed you as Lord and was baptized. I used to be so excited, passionate, and willing to be used for your glory, but lately, I have been struggling. I confess there to be things in my life that ought not to be there and some things I should be doing yet choose not to do. I want to reclaim my joy and fulfill my purpose to bring you glory and worship you in spirit and in truth. Please help me overcome every obstacle in your way, and may I be the change agent you have called and empowered me to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.