Sunday, August 22, 2010

I Surrender...

Main Entry: 1sur·ren·der
Pronunciation: \sə-ˈren-dər\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sur·ren·dered; sur·ren·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\
Etymology: Middle English surrendren, from surrendre, noun
Date: 15th century
transitive verb 1 a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort> b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
2 a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)intransitive verb : to give oneself up into the power of another : yield
synonyms see relinquish


I looked up the word "surrender" and I liked the way the Merriam- Webster dictionary defined it. This word surrender has been on my heart almost all summer but especially this week. Although He doesn't force us to surrender, we must choose to do this with the free will He's given us. I started reading a book called, "Making Jesus Lord" by Loren Cunningham. I've only read about five chapters but it is such a good message that I can't put the book down, which is odd because I either get really bored while reading or very sleepy. Anyway, this book is all about the power that comes when we lay down our rights. Surrendering to God can be such a scary thing because we give up all control and let HIM be in control, not even knowing what the outcome will be. The Lord loves a broken and a contrite heart, if you're sincere about surrendering before the Lord he will not turn you away. He delights in us when we give Him all that we have. There are different types of surrenders. We can surrender our emotions, our future, our finances, our thoughts/ concerns, our relationships, and our life. Many blessings will be poured out if we will just turn to Him with all of our heart. I love the way Joel 2:13 says it, "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and He relents over disaster."

I was listening to a song by Brian and Jenn Johnson called, "Where you go I go" and this one lyric stuck out to me greatly: "So how can I expect to walk without You when every move that Jesus made was in surrender?" This just takes me back to when Jesus went to the wilderness for forty days to be tested as He fasted and prayed. The heart of this very Man was always in such a position of surrender that He gave up every earthly desire and every offense brought against Him by scoffers, He was even crucified after being falsely accused of crimes but He submitted Himself and His will to do His Father's will. Oh, that I would learn His heart and follow His will without any reservations! Even to surrender my problems or any self-conscious thoughts that hinder me from going deeper in His love. Father, I want to be a friend of the Bridegroom! Lay down every right, every offense, every lie that I feel is true but doesn't please the Father's heart, everything...I SURRENDER! I put down my guard and I expose my heart to God, whatever it looks like, whatever condition it has been in knowing that He will take care of it the best.

There will be joy, because my food is to do the will of Him who sent me, who commissioned me. There's a different kind of peace when you give up control over everything because Jesus said not to worry, He would give you every good gift from Heaven. Let us seek to have a surrendered heart at all times.


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