When the “game” of my life seemed to be coming to an end and every move was met with the enemy's "checkmate," I felt helpless and lost. But it wasn't until I realized that God was teaching me an important lesson that I began to see the victory.

In 2 Corinthians 5 and Romans 8, we are reminded of the importance of looking away from the seen things and recognizing what God is doing in us in Christ. Our weaknesses and groaning lead us to a deeper sense of need and longing for His presence, and power and provision. Even in the midst of our struggles, God is working Christ into us.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not to the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen" (2 Corinthians 4:17, KJV)

My flesh tries to strategize my life like a chess match. I think, “if I move this piece here, then this will force this situation and then I can….” We even pray like this. We have certain expectations that if God will do ABC, then we will have xyz. God may be wanting to do something else entirely, but we dictate the terms as if we are trying to strategize the outcomes in our life. God let all own solutions fail, and I was left with no option but to surrender to God. Don’t let the fact that I’m speaking in past tense make this sound like this is a “once for all realization”. This is the way God always works in our life. Paul said, “we who live are always being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body.” We always try to “live” and strategize everything, and God knows how to ‘defeat us’ so that we will surrender.

Our surrender is not a defeat, but a victory. It is the moment when I realize that the game doesn’t even matter that I get renewed. What is important is understanding that I am finished and in need of God's presence. In this place of surrender, I find my victory and get refreshed. This refreshing comes as God supplies me with Christ, and the knowledge of Himself, and in it, God works Christ into me, filling me with His life and His power.

I’m learning to embrace my weaknesses and groanings, knowing that they are leading me to a deeper understanding of our need for Christ Maybe while I’m in them it doesn’t seem that way, but looking back I know it’s true. At least for today, let’s surrender our struggles and allow God to work His victory in our lives, even when we feel like we are in checkmate. For in Christ, even our checkmate is a victory.

Father, thank You for reminding me that even in the midst of my struggles, you are working Christ into me. Help me to look away from the seen things and recognize what You are doing in me in Christ. Give me a deeper sense of need and longing for Your presence, that I may surrender my struggles to You and allow You to work Your victory in my life. Thank You for the promise that even my checkmate is a victory in Christ. Help me to embrace my weaknesses and groanings, knowing that they are leading me to a deeper understanding of my need for You. In Jesus' name, amen.