I Surrender

Surrender  

:  to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort>

:  to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

:  to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

:  to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

When we hear the term surrender, it provokes thoughts of weakness, of a giving up. So, when I find myself telling folks to just surrender to Jesus (and I do it often) a perplexed look often follows. This world promotes power and self reliance, independence and self sufficiency. So when someone tells us to surrender, it sounds illogical. We work hard to get through school, college, climb the ranks at work and NOW you want me to SURRENDER?! Allow me to clarify.

I am no theologian, but I can tell you what surrender means to me. Every day, every hour most days, thoughts enter my head of “what if”… and “why me”… and “if only”…They serve to torture me and cause unrest. So I surrender. I surrender to the One who has it all worked out, the One who has already seen how this saga plays out, my God who is the only constant in my life. I surrender to Him, but not as a prisoner. I give up my will to control things that I can’t control anyway. I give up the resistance that causes endless hours of frustration and anguish. I give myself over to knowing that He has His best plan for me. He loves me, and He will further me. Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. I only have to surrender and follow.


 That my friends, is not the easy way out, it is the ONLY way out.....of this sinful world and into an eternity spent with Him.

Surrender in the context of Jesus is not easy, but it really is simple. Giving up control, giving up completely, giving oneself over, not to become captive, but to become free!  We spend countless days and years trying to control others, our circumstances and our outcomes. But how successful are we, really? I am not suggesting that we stop making smart choices or that we stop learning, I am saying that by giving control to a mighty and powerful God, the one true God, all of our efforts, as they line up with His will, will not be in vain. 
1 Peter 5:6-10 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  


You see, the results of a life lived in and through Him are obviously better. Our successes will be bigger and our shortcomings not as devastating. 


Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 
   Your life will not be without trials, but the trials become bearable with Him as your guide. He will charter the path, and you get to go along for the ride. When you do all things for Him and His kingdom, success is measured in a different way. You cannot fail when you surrender.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
So repeatedly I turn away from me and give it all to Him. 
Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

  Do you know Jesus? All you need to do is accept His invitation. He did the work when He died on the cross to save all of us from our sins. Answer Him, accept His gift of forgiveness and yes, surrender to His will for your life.