We live in a world where surrendering is considered weak. For one to surrender, one must admit defeat. You are admitting defeat. However, as Christians, we are called to surrender to God’s control in our lives. We are to give up our power in this world, so that we will be able to show the world God’s glory. Complete surrender is what is required of us as Christians.
I read a quote this week that has been contributed to many different people over the years, “We repent enough to be forgiven, but do we surrender enough to be changed?” Repenting is the easy part of admitting you are wrong. It may seem like admitting wrong and saying sorry is the hard part, but that is a myth. The hard part is truly giving your life over to Christ, true surrender, after the repentance.
James 1:22-25 is used a lot when speaking of how we are to control our tongues as Christians, and it absolutely applies. We should control our mouths and the words that we speak, but it also speaks to how we are to not be only hearers of the word, but doers. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” We know we are to give ourselves over to God, but somehow, we find this part of our Christian life difficult.
God wants us fully. As our Father, God wants his children wholly. Surrender is easier said than done, however. Even if we are raised in a Christian household, we are taught from a very young age to be self-sufficient, to truly rely on no one but ourselves, that if you want a job done correctly, you do it yourself. So, how do you truly surrender to God? How do you fully trust in God’s will? How do you let go of the reins and allow God to move freely in your life?
Those are all wonderful questions and ones I don’t have the answers to. It is a constant battle for me to surrender control to God in my life, shoot, it is a battle for me to surrender control in any aspect of my life. Maybe it is a first-born problem, but learning to let go and let God is extremely difficult for me. I want to have my hands on everything that may be coming my way and in some way control when it happens. As a Christian that is not the way true Christianity works. God has taught me many valuable lessons over the years and that I am not in control, no matter how much I may think I am. I do know that God’s plan is always better than mine, however, and I take comfort in that fact.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 I have read this verse so many times but never fully let it sink into the wrinkles of my brain. Submit yourself…surrender yourself…and then the devil will flee from you. It doesn’t say become a Christian and the devil will flee it says once you are fully surrendered to God the devil will flee from you. The devil will know he will have zero power in your life if you are fully surrendered to God. Once you let God have complete control, once you are going to Him in prayer before every major decision and are fully submersed in His word every day, the devil will have a much harder time tripping you up. You will not fall victim to the tricks the devil will try in your life.
Full surrender to God is something you must do constantly. It is a work that you must continually do in order to stay in complete submission to God. I am truly working on complete surrender this year and
invite you to join me on this journey of submission. God will reward you for your trust in Him and your life will be truly blessed.
This week’s recipe is a super yummy take on salmon. A salmon filet can become a boring protein to throw into your weekly rotation of dinners, but this Honey Mustard Salmon is a winner for even the pickiest eater at your supper table. We enjoy this over a bed of rice and a simple side salad. Enjoy!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
April 19, 2024
