It feels like a dirty word. Some hear it and think they heard "quit." They assume that, by default, they must wear the "Loser" T-shirt.
That's how the world sees surrender.
For the growing Christian, surrender is an invitation, not an insult. It calls in a still, small, yet authoritative voice, "Take up your cross daily. Deny yourself. Follow me."
Although the love in His voice pulls you closer, it doesn't quite bring you over the line in this tug-of-war. Fear, which seems stronger and calls louder, yanks at you from the other side of the rope. It's voice is not tender. It's clingy and suffocating, and it tells you all you will lose if you surrender to God. The arguments are persuasive and full of accusations similar to what Eve heard.
For all of God's power and strength, He will not pull you over the line.
That would not be surrender.
Surrender is when you drop the rope altogether and step over the line by choice.
Oh, but when you do!
Like Dorothy saw in Munchkin Land, surrender changes the color of everything! The future looks brighter though you still can't see it. Knowing God sees it is enough.
Frightening things have to tangle with God before they get to you. Shamelessly, you get to pass the buck to Him. That's one of the perks under the Surrender Contract.
Fear, with all of it's lies and what-if's, turns out to be nothing but a big bully melted by douses of faith in God.
My favorite part of surrender has been the peace. It's not all riding on me anymore. His yoke truly is easy!
What about you?
Will you allow Him to take your belief while helping your unbelief? Isn't it worth the fight to enter the secret place of the Most High and the Shadow of the Almighty?
I know surrender is hard. I struggle with it too. By God's grace, I'm determined to live on the other side...the other side of surrender.
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