In the grand symphony of life, there are moments when the tune goes off-key, and we find ourselves navigating the dissonant chords of uncertainty. For me, one of those defining moments arrived three years ago when my husband and I faced a crossroads, one that felt like his midlife crisis. The landscape ahead looked ominous, and fear whispered lies of hopelessness. The outlook was bleak, and I questioned if our best days lay behind us. 

In the depth of my limited understanding while filled with doubt and negativity, I surrendered. It was the moment when our family adopted a simple yet profound mantra. Every evening before dinner we gathered around the table, elbows on the surface, palms turned upward, and our mouths uttered the sacred words: “Give it to God.” The silence that followed was equally transformative. We led our children through this ritual night after night for months, not knowing what lay ahead, but aware that we had run out of solutions.

It was in this act of surrender that I began to listen to God’s voice and yield to His authority over our lives. The art of surrender, this raising of open palms to the divine, changed me. It wasn’t about seeking approval from others or striving to please the world; it was about finding God’s will amid the chaos.  

God’s answer came in a most unexpected manner. He didn’t speak in loud, audible tones but with a gentle direction that emerged from a heart burdened for people. It was a calling to leave the comforts of our picket fence neighborhood and venture into the urban core of our city to establish a new church, Center Church, in the challenging neighborhood of Barrio Logan. The move was counterintuitive, but it resonated with a deep sense of purpose. We realized that if Jesus were walking the earth today, He would go where the need was greatest.

What started as a humble act of surrender has transformed into an incredible journey. Center Church has thrived, and its impact on the city is palpable. The church is a beacon of hope, reaching out to the hurting, helping the broken, and showering grace upon the community. It’s a story of transformation, a testament to the power of surrendering to God’s will in the present.

Fear often paralyzes us when we try to live in the future before it arrives. We’ve made God’s will something associated with the distant future rather than a practical reality we can embrace right now. Jesus, in His wisdom, reminds us not to worry about tomorrow’s concerns. He points out that God knows our needs and encourages us not to be afraid.

Our fear often arises from living out the future in our minds before it unfolds. Instead, we can find peace by recognizing that God’s will is not an elusive ideal but a practical reality we can embrace today. We don’t need to fret about what lies ahead because our Heavenly Father already knows our needs.

So, in moments of uncertainty, remember to lift your open palms in surrender, let go of future worries, and embrace God’s will for your life in the present.