GODLY SURRENDER
I learned about surrender through My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I thought it a noble idea but did not have understanding on how to do it. Over the course of time I began to turn over more and more of my life to God. The surrender came naturally because I wanted more of God. It became my reality when I decided to follow God without striving to influence the outcome.
An individual surrenders their life to God out of love for God. They are secure in following Him with their all. Surrender is an act of the will. A person doesn’t surrender until they are ready and want to and see a reason to. It is a giving up, a giving to, a letting go, a no-holds barred process. God is their reason and driving force. To follow Him fully, with heart, mind, and soul, is to change in their outlook and purpose.
Surrender to God is a Process
As God shows more, they surrender more. He brings an awareness of areas of bondage. He reveals thoughts. In prayer, they learn to ask Him to show them how and what to think. “Show me, Father.” Small and big issues are brought to God before they confront them or choose to proceed.
At this point, the individual sees themselves for what they are, and they have given all of it to their Savior: Their part, their excuses, their attitudes, their actions, and even their well-meaning hopes and dreams. And they have said, “Here it is. Please take it. I can’t bear their burden any longer. I’m sorry, Father God. Help me. I love You.”
Refocused and Enlivened
When this flushing of the toxins–cleansing of the soul–is finished, the transaction is complete between them and God. At first they may feel emptied and uncomfortable. In surrender, they let go of harbored resentments, bitter feelings, and angry thoughts, those areas that had guided and been resident in them, that had lived submerged inside and in control of their emotions and thinking.
Then surfaces another realization, that self-justification and self-will have also contributed as a source of strength that has guided their life, in addition to God and His work in them. These will diminish as they seek God. By this time their life is not the same. They are not quite certain exactly how to function now that they’ve surrendered to a Higher Authority. The old props are gone unless they take them up again, which will be the temptation days, months or years from now.
They are now living in freedom. The strength of the Lord will renew, rejuvenate, revive, transform and help them as they find their way. It is then they understand living water and how to live in God’s abundance. They will not be shaken as they go through trials, and they will not be prideful as they receive people’s praise. They know it is not them, it is God in them that is carrying them along.
This Is You
So, this is you, your time to consider my words. If you’ve never read about surrender or feel that it is an impossible concept and too hard to consider as a life-style undertaking, I encourage you to seek God with your whole heart. As He reveals Himself to you, as both loving and kind, you will find your desires changing. No longer will God seem remote or at arms-length. He will be ‘there’ for you as He draws you in His loving way and reveals His holy attributes.
♥ I wish you well on your spiritual journey. I pray for my readers. I will be praying for you. God bless you.
