Hana Andrew

God has been teaching me to abide and to surrender, as well as just being in awe of His goodness. I’m one of those people who feels she has to be productive to have a good day, but that business is a thief of so much joy sometimes, taking my eyes off of God. But when I feel like I’m spinning out and losing control, I have to surrender the illusion that I ever had control in the first place, and give everything to God. Literally saying out loud, “God, my life is Yours. Have my heart, have my body, have my dreams and aspirations, have my worries and insecurities, have my plans and future, take my relationships and make them Yours. My academics, my finances, my talents all go back to You.” And just actively trying to abide in Him by meditating on His Word has been so powerful—memorizing verses here and there, praying short prayers when they come to mind (every time you talk to God does not have to be a grand event), offensively combating the lies of the enemy with His Truth instead of letting them take root and punch me in the face over and over again. And lastly, just praying to have a more reverent heart for God and attentively looking and listening for Him. Reading His Word helps me to be more in awe of Him, and talking to friends and disciplers about Him. Instead of being like “God, what the heck? Why is this happening?” I try to humble myself, change my perspective, and ask, “God, what are your plans? What growth and refinement is about to come from this? In what ways can I be grateful for this?” All this to say, I can’t do it on my own strength. It’s crazy how we need God (the Holy Spirit) to worship God, and sacrifice (surrender) is our true and proper worship. God is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, not us; it’s not up to me to change me, it’s up to God, and what a blessing that is! How good is our God to do all the heavy lifting for us, to change a broken sinner like me into a royal priesthood, chosen, holy, and righteous through Jesus Christ!