Surrender and Readiness to See the Heart of God

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

Once, a friend asked me, “Why don’t you write about…?” The idea was excellent, but my response was short and sweet: I only write what the Holy Spirit leads me to write (Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:14). Until that text conversation, I had never really examined why or how I write at all.

I have always just done it—even as a third grader with a pink backpack and a composition journal. Then I graduated to a pre-teen with a typewriter, and later a high-school grad with a Gateway desktop. At every stage, pages and pages—on paper or in my iPhone notes—have popped up and poured out.

Since 2015, when I committed to follow Jesus daily and consistently, how I write and what I write has changed (Romans 12:1–2). I have dreamed of being a writer since I could talk. I have taken great care of my book collections, my journals, and my thoughts.

As my spiritual journey has progressed, I have given Jesus my dreams—every single one of them (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1–3). Therefore, my thoughts are not my own anymore. They belong to Him (Proverbs 16:3).

All week I’ve sat at my desk wondering what my next project should be. I’ve looked at hundreds of Canva files, yet no answer is clear. I do know that The First Grade Chatterbox will be the last book of 2025—that much He has made clear. Where I go next is totally up to God and His timing (Proverbs 3:5–6; Habakkuk 2:3).

I have a book I want to pitch to an agent or two. I have a book I want to pitch to one particular publisher, but the manuscript must be fleshed out and rewritten. For now, God has me sitting still. He wants me to take stock of what we have accomplished together this year—and it has been an amazing year. He wants me to make connections, to read, and to enjoy the fruits of my labor (Psalm 37:5, 7).

Yet the creative me waits for further instruction: a new book, a new idea, a new project—anything at all (Isaiah 40:31). It’s funny that I’ve gone from never praying or including Jesus in anything a decade ago to not moving without a nudge, a command, or a shout from Jesus or the Holy Spirit (John 10:27; Romans 8:14).

He has been telling me to wait while He breathes on the words. That likely means my heart posture isn’t ready for the next step yet. He is still working on me and my growth (Philippians 1:6). So I will search the Word. I will yield my heart to Him. I will wait (Psalm 27:14).

I also feel a serious urgency to relinquish all earthly desires and all issues of the heart to God (Luke 9:23; Philippians 3:7–8). Time is so short now. We don’t have long until Jesus returns for His Bride (Titus 2:13; Revelation 19:7–9).

He knows the purposes He has for you, so are you concentrating on the purposes of God (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10)? Are your eyes on the prize (Philippians 3:13–14)? Do you know Jesus? Would you recognize His voice if you heard it (John 10:27)?

Now is the time to turn toward Him. Repent. Relinquish. Simplify (Acts 3:19; James 4:8; Mark 1:15). The things of this world are growing very dim (1 John 2:15–17).

Do you have oil in your lamp (Matthew 25:1–13)? Do you have an extra flask of oil (Luke 12:35–36)? Is your wick trimmed (Matthew 24:42–44)? Have you fallen asleep at the watch (Romans 13:11–12; 1 Thessalonians 5:6)? Time is very short.

I would rather wait on Jesus for millennia than make a single effort without His blessing or ordination (Proverbs 3:5–6; Proverbs 16:3). What God can do with a little far outweighs what my meager human accomplishments can do on their own.

I am nothing but His. My writing is nothing but His. My heart is nothing but His. My mind is nothing but His. My life is not mine because it is His. My praise is nothing but His (Psalm 19:14).

Thank You, Father, for preparing a way for me to find You. I am so in love with the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). As I sit at this keyboard day in and day out, may I not make one keystroke that You do not allow (Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 16:3). For everything in me belongs to You. Thank You, Father. Thank You.

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Scripture Notes

Matthew 25:1–13 (ESV) — The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Call to Get REAL with Your Walk

It is time to stop coasting. If your lamp is dim or empty, today is your wake-up call. Get R.E.A.L. with God:

R — Repent. Turn from sin and self-reliance. Ask Jesus to cleanse and fill you.
E — Examine. Check your lamp and your life. Do you have oil or only an outward lamp?
A — Abide. Stay in the Word and in prayer so the Spirit keeps your oil supply fresh.
L — Listen. Quiet your heart to hear His voice and obey quickly when He speaks.

If you have walked far, come home. If you have grown lukewarm, be set on fire. If you are faithful, keep watch and keep your flask full. Time is short and the Bridegroom is coming.

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Challenge of the Week

Daily (10 minutes):

1. Repent (2 min): Name anything the Spirit highlights and turn from it.
2. Read (3 min): Matthew 25:1–13 or your current passage. Ask, “Lord, what are You saying?”
3. Listen (3 min): Sit in silence. Write one clear nudge you sense from Him.
4. Obey (2 min): Take one concrete step that day based on what you heard.

Plus: Choose one fast this week (a meal, social media, or TV) and use that time to pray, “Fill my lamp. Teach me Your heart.” Invite a friend to do this with you so you both stay accountable.

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Prayer

Father, I come to You with an honest heart. Where I have been lukewarm, set me ablaze. Where I have relied on my own strength, teach me to depend on Your Spirit. Fill my lamp with fresh oil and give me a ready heart that listens and obeys. Jesus, be my first love and my only prize. Holy Spirit, keep me awake, watchful, and faithful until the Bridegroom comes. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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