“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
I frequently write and talk about one of the longest-lasting obstacles that prevented satisfaction, joy, and peace in my life; that is, living in the duty of religion instead of relationship. Why? Because I meet many people stuck in the same condition. For about the first twenty years of my Christian walk, I was a box-checking Christian—and I was great at it! I went to church three times a week, gave tithes and generous offerings, led family devotions, served in countless church ministries, sang in the choir, sent my kids to Christian school, and even invited church visitors into my home for dinner. I looked like a super-Christian. But I wasn’t fooling anyone—except myself.
I did all these things as a substitute for an enduring and deep relationship with God. Sure, I had moments when my heart was touched, and I’d have a short spiritual revival, but eventually—I threw in the towel and walked away from all of it. My own hypocrisy sickened me.
Why did I walk away?
Because I didn’t understand this critical truth: a deeply satisfying abundant Christian life comes—not from obligatory service to God—but from service in full loving surrender to Him. It’s much like a good marriage. If a couple serves each other out of obligation, it grows stale quickly. But if they serve each other out of love—because God is their greatest source of satisfaction—each act of service increases the well of love.
Service born from LOVE produces satisfaction and love; service born from DUTY just drains our tank.
I know. I’ve lived it. Love is selflessness. God is love. He embodies selflessness.
We are created in His image, which means we are designed to experience love. When we live in daily surrender to God, we enter the glorious, life-giving flow of His loving presence. This is where the Christian life becomes powerful. Love is more powerful than our enemy of death.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39
When we love God most and make Him the center of our life, we are filled with His addicting presence. We begin to desire Him more than we desire the sin of our own way. We are filled with the Spirit of God and our life overflows with joy and strength. Without the Holy Spirit, we’re like a fan unplugged from its power source. We can spin the blades ourselves for a little while, but soon we grow weary. The fan isn’t made to be spun by hand—it’s made to run on power.
Trying to serve God without His Spirit is like trying to run a fan without electricity.
But when we return to God, His presence is so satisfying that He becomes the deepest longing of our heart and this song is in our heart:
“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:1-4
When we draw near to God, we see His mercy, His protection, and His comforting hand over us. His love fills us and our heart is satisfied by the beauty and peace found in His presence. When we experience God’s presence in this way, we want to share it with everyone we meet. His presence naturally flows out in our work, our families, our churches, our communities, and even to strangers.
The most authentic Christians are constantly being transformed by God’s presence!
Reflection Thought
Am I living a life of obligation or a life of joyful surrender?
Prayer
Father God, I surrender to You today. I don’t want to simply serve You out of duty. I want to know You deeply, to love You passionately, and to walk closely in Your presence. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Teach me to love You with my whole heart and to serve You from the overflow of that love. Thank You for Your mercy, Your protection, and Your faithfulness. Draw me near to You, Lord. Teach me to make You my greatest satisfaction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
