There is another reason we don't surrender to God - we don't fully understand what it means. Surrendering to God does not mean giving up; we can't just sit back and do nothing. Surrendering usually requires work; we have to daily give up our will and desires and commit to what He wants. That doesn't mean we become robots without a personality of our own. God wants to use the characteristics and personalities He has given us for His glory; to accomplish His will.
Surrendering is demonstrated in our obedience. We can't call Jesus our Lord and then refuse to obey Him. Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense.
We also show we are surrendered by our trust; when we rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others or control the situation. In order to surrender we must let go and let God. Instead of trying harder, we need to trust more.
Of course the best example of living in surrender is Jesus. He surrendered himself to God's plan by praying: Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine. (Mark 14:36) . Full surrender isn't easy. The Bible says that Jesus sweat drops of blood. We have to battle against our self-centered nature.
So, if surrender is hard and goes against our nature, why do it? Because victory comes through surrender. Surrender doesn't weaken us; it strengthens us. When we live surrendered to God we don't have to fear or surrender to anything else.
Eventually everyone surrenders to something or someone, and we are free to choose what we will surrender to. We were designed to worship God, but if we don't surrender to Him in worship, we will surrender to things like the expectations of others, to fear, to money, or to pride and ego. Surrendering to God brings peace, surrendering to anything else bring chaos.
If we are going to live for God, we must give it all to God. We don't need to be afraid. Nothing under His control can ever be out of control.
"Surrender doesn't weaken us; it strengthens us." Love that!
ReplyDeleteLord I surrender my current situations to you so that I may be strengthened more in u.
ReplyDeleteI surrender all my silent hopes and dreams to you for the price to follow to cost me every hour.
Surrendering our lives and our tough situations to God is a difficult thing to do, but so necessary if we're to truly follow Him. It's a conscious decision, a fundamental change, but OH...the rewards of it! Thanks so much for your post :)
ReplyDeleteThis really spoke to me today Lisa! I'm praying over how to respond to someone and your words have helped a lot. I love this... "Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense." With everything I've wanted to say the Spirit has impressed scripture that leads me not to. It doesn't make sense and it probably won't, but I want to obey... I want peace. I was going to sit down and make an effort to respond, but instead decided to go read first... so glad I did :) Blessings!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa - Surrendering is demonstrated in our obedience - I know that God wants me to surrender more of me (or should I say ALL of me) and let Him be more (or should I say ALL)because as you say there is victory in surrender. I really needed to hear this today.
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Tracy
Amen Lisa! Victory comes when we surrender, to people who don't know Jesus surrender makes us seem weak, but when we surrender we let His power break through. Great post Lisa.
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