Father if You are willing, remove this cup of divine wrath from Me;
yet not My will, but always Yours be done.
Luke 22:42
means (i) to yield oneself to an influence, emotion, passion, etc.
(ii) Submission to the possession of another.
(iii) Making God the Lordship over your life.
(iv) to empty oneself.
Surrendering is something I called "letting go". It was something I always found difficult to do because I felt it wasn't part of my settings. I did not understand the process and I let it affect my relationship with God. I was literally scared of letting go or surrendering. It made me feel down, I felt I wasn't trying hard enough and nothing I did affected my growth.
By not letting go and letting God do as He pleased with me, I was restricting myself from certain things, including exhibiting my spiritual gifts. I realized I had to put a stop to such silliness. So, I took a week out to learn and oh, did I learn so much.
God was teaching me, teaching me a lot, clearing my doubts and speaking to me. I heard His voice. I learned that "surrender" wasn't a day's job but a process; an everyday process.
To surrender, you have to trust and have faith in God and sacrifice a lot while at it. It is the key to building intimacy with God. No one said it was going to be easy, surrendering involves sacrificing different things every single day. Things you hold dearly like possessions, friends, etc.
Surrendering is not an easy process. It sometimes takes years to learn as previously mentioned. However, it is very possible to do. You have been create in the very image of God. And the very moment, you chose to believe in God, you took the very first step to surrendering.
Surrendering takes the grace and power of God to accomplish. It is the ability to give God the wheel even when your desire to be in control. It is the ability to bring yourself under subjection in your relationship with God.
But I keep under my body, and bring it under subjection; lest that by any means,
When I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:27.
Surrendering is the ability to give God control of your life. To enjoy the new life God promised you in 2 Corinthians 5:17, you have to let go of self, the past and who you think you are meant to be. It is only by surrendering that the new life will be manifest in you, your life and all that concerns you (Luke 5:36-39; Matthew 9:17)
Although, surrendering takes the power and grace of God, you also have a role to play because God has given you the ultimate power of choice. The Holy Spirit will not impose Himself on you. Instead, He will wait for you to invite Him into your heart. You have to give Him a chance, stand away for His will to be done. Surrender your all, withhold nothing and watch how peace overflows in your heart.
Every message or teaching or book I read that week have taught me the act of surrender and I'm still learning about it. But God's grace, I'm getting better at it and by His grace, I'll forge on and never give up.
Knowing Jesus is the greatest achievement. And, God is waiting for you to open the door of your heart. There is nothing as beautiful, peaceful and calming as living the God life and walking in the realm of the Holy Spirit. And I just want you to know that you can do it and now is the time. It does not matter where you are, don't be ashamed, just take a minute to profess these words:
Lord Jesus, please help me. I want to surrender my all to you. Have your way Lord and let your will be done not mine. In Jesus name.
Photo Credit: Juan Pablo Arenas.
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