Surrender

If there is one illusion that we love and cling to, it is the illusion of control. We believe are in control, we choose our path, we guide our own steps, we provide our own security, we protect our own loved ones, we secure our own health. It is ingrained deep within us. We are Americans... from America, the land of opportunity. The land where one could leave the set limitations on social standings and financial gain and make a name for oneself. The land of the "self-made man", the land where one could control one's own destiny.

But as we know all too well, this idea of control is a phantom. The more you grasp for it, the more you realize it cannot be had. Health can slip away in an instant, your loved ones cannot be held so tightly that you can ensure their safety at all times even if you wrap them in a bubble and lock them in their rooms. Money is uncertain and can seemingly dissolve overnight. Happiness can be present one moment and gone the next. We have seen this all too well played out before us in 2020. Things that felt stable one minute were toppled the next. This year has felt as if the rug has been pulled out from under our feet in many ways! With the onset of Covid 19 we saw schools, churches, restaurants, and stores closed, shelves empty, community removed, jobs gone, society in upheaval, and so on and so on. What a picture this was of our fragility, nationally, globally, and personally. If control is what you seek, it shall always allude you. If safety and security are your aim, you shall live a most insecure life. For it is an illusion, it is a grasping after the wind. Deep down we all know, we are not in control. And the more we seek to be, the more fearful we often are and the more overbearing and suffocating we are to those we love.

Believe it or not, my aim today is not to depress you. :)

If we have no real control, what are we to do?

We surrender to the One who is more powerful than us, to the One who IS in control. We take our feet off of the "rug" and put them onto the rock which cannot be pulled out from under us. We place our hope, our trust, our faith, our confidence fully in Jesus Christ.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online, surrender is:

:to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand

: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 (such as an influence)

:to give oneself up into the power of another : YIELD

:the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another

To surrender is to acknowledge that another is more powerful than you, and to submit. To yield completely. To become a prisoner to. To relinquish all rights to. To give oneself fully over to. It is the action of submitting to.

As a follower of Jesus, we surrender to Him. We yield our lives to Him. We surrender our days to Him, our moments to Him, our efforts to Him, our thoughts to Him, our dreams to Him, our cares to Him. We surrender to His power, knowing it is ultimate. We surrender to His plan, knowing that it is perfect. We surrender to His purposes, knowing they are eternal. We surrender to His protection, we trust that He has our days (and those of our loved ones) in His hands, and we walk securely knowing that the days He has ordained for us shall be. We surrender to His ways, knowing the He is the one who goes before us, who walks along side us, who serves as our rear guard. We trust that His ways may not be our ways, but we yield to them knowing they are better.

Think about the definitions of the word surrender above and how they translate to your relationship with Christ. I think of Psalm 147:5, which says, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." Because He is mighty in power, I yield to His power over my own. Another verse that comes to mind is Ephesians 4:1, which says, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling that you have received." I become His prisoner not through force, but by willing surrender. I think of the very words of Jesus, “...nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

You can find more verses on surrender here.

This week, my prayer focus shall be on surrender. I invite you to join me. For it is in surrender that we find security, in surrender that we find stability, in surrender that we find true freedom and peace that can only be found in Jesus.

Lord, I acknowledge that not only is control an illusion, but I do not want to be in control of my life. I want you to have complete and unrestrained control of my life. In Hebrews 2:8 it says, “8 You put all things under his control.” For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control.” I believe Lord that NOTHING is outside of Your control. I willingly surrender to you. I give you this day, having received it as a gift from you. Lord, I ask that you will guide me today in Your purposes and plans for this day. Please show me the good works that you have prepared for me to do today. Lord, I surrender my family to you. Please protect my spouse, my children, my loved ones. I entrust that they are in your care. Please bring about Your plans for their lives. Help me to trust them to you. Lord, I entrust my finances to you. Thank you for all you have provided for us, and I acknowledge that you are our ultimate source of provision and security. Jesus, I submit my heart to you. I ask you to reveal within me any area that is not fully surrendered to you, and with confidence of both your power and your goodness, help me to yield fully to you. I say along with Jesus, “not my will, but yours be done” Father. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.