In these days of heightened stress, I am reminded again of the need for relying on the Lord instead of ourselves.

I first came to realize the Lord was calling me to ministry in the middle of my freshman year of college. I surrendered my plans to the plans of the Lord. He knew what the future would hold, and I wanted to trust Him with my future.

Looking back on those years, it’s been an incredible journey.

One biblical truth that greatly impacted my life and ministry was the importance of seeking to surrender daily: to let the Lord have that daily control over my life.

The apostle Paul encouraged believers to present ourselves to the Lord and to be transformed by Him (Romans 12:1-2). The Lord commands us not to be filled with ourselves, but with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And Paul, again, tells us in Galatians 2:20 that he had been crucified with Christ, and the life he lived was through Christ living in him.

Whether witnessing, ministering, or weathering a storm in life, I’ve learned that I need to be surrendered to the Lord daily.

I pray that these uncertain times will cause me – and you – to rely not on our own strength, but to instead surrender to Christ, so that He can empower us to share the Gospel, care for those in need, and, ultimately, to demonstrate God’s grace and strength through our weakness.

PHILIP PINCKARD, PHD served as a missionary to Macao. He is currently Professor of Missions and the director of the Global Mission Center at NOBTS.