Creating Ishmael

Are you creating an Ishmael?

This question was posed to me tonight at Truthworks. We went over Galations 4:21 - 5:26 tonight. (I encourage you to read it, its great!) The passage of scripture is talking about Abraham & Sarah's story. And we all know the story, God promised them they would have a child & become a great nation...and when it wasn't done in their time they took matters into their own hands. So Abraham has Ishmael with Hagar the maidservant. So long story short: Hagar = Law (slavery) Sarah = Promise (Freedom).

In Galations 4:28 Paul is showing them that the scripture says to get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman will never share in the inheritance with the free womans son. And that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman. He continues into chapter 5 to say do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.....Paul says you were running a good race, who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? He continues to show you what living under slavery looks like and what living under Gods freedom looks like. He tells us of the fruits of the spirit. Then in Galations 5:24-26, he says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature (slavery) with its passions and desires (sin we fall into).

So that brings me to my life.....it got me thinking, and its true.
I created an Ishmael.

I have been living under slavery. Under the Law.
God has shown me this week that Grace is what God does for us, that we can't do for ourselves.

He also showed me in Galations that I can't make the fruit grow in me. God has to give me the fruit. If I keep on trying to grow it myself, I will keep returning to the Law.

He has shown me I need to work on creating an Isaac (letting God be in control) and stop creating Ishmael's (Things I take into my own hands).
I think the reason I stay under the law is because its familiar. I know what it looks like. I don't know what TOTAL dependence on Christ looks like. I don't. So lets say I say the words: "I surrender Lord", I have NO CLUE what that looks like. What does a surrendered life even look like? How do I lay the things I hold onto down and walk away?

How do I create an Isaac & not an Ishmael??