I surrendered to the dentist.
I surrendered when the plane took off.
I surrendered when the roller coaster barreled down the track.
But I didn’t fully surrender to God.
That was early in my faith walk and with the exception of my initial surrender the day I was saved for eternity, I surrendered nothing. Not the possessions. Not the thoughts. Not the purpose for my life.
And then I read this:
“I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
From that day forward I embraced God’s mandate to surrender my mind–what and how I think (Ephesians 4:22, 23).
To surrender my body because it’s his temple where he dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16).
To surrender my will and let him take over full control of my life (Revelation 22:17).
Mind. Body. Will.
There are different levels of surrender and God wants ALL OF THEM, starting with our initial surrender when we become a child of God. But surrendering must also come at a deeper level–usually through the crucible of pain–that strengthens our intimacy with Christ.
God demands that we surrender the totality of our selves; He wants the whole, not a part.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Give these steps a try…
- Release control of your life to God.
- Slow down and listen to what he says.
- Soak in his Word and believe it to be so.
- Trust and trust some more…and start over.
“…whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
