For many, surrender is a scary proposition that involves two things we usually run from - Process and Change. I know this all to well because I unknowingly spent years running from both. Status quo was my friend, or so I thought...

Complete Surrender

I was doing many good things, helping everywhere, and I thought that proved I loved Him and was surrendered to Him. But when you're not clear on what His love looks like to you, you won't fully surrender. You will always keep a part of yourself back that you don't trust Him with, that you don't trust anyone with. Your own love reservoirs get depleted quickly and can lead to frustration and being resentful toward God because it seems you are giving so much and getting nothing in return. This is where most people give up on God.

I was taught that surrender was more about not making God mad than it was about how much control I gave Him of my life. As long as I did the right thing He was happy. I laid out plans, scheduled my life and made decisions almost exclusively based on me, totally oblivious to the fact that true surrender is letting God lead you. I thought as long as I wasn't doing bad things He didn't care. Turns out, that is not what the bible says:

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NLT

True surrender is letting God and His word transform the way we think, act and respond in everything. Our life might be morally right, but not knowing His love, leads to incomplete surrender, and that leads to frustration when prayers are not answered or you don't feel close to God.

I know that the thought of this kind of surrender may trigger anxiety, especially when it comes to places in our lives that we have been burned before. Giving control of our lives completely over to Him seems like others will get away with things they need to be held accountable for. But this is why knowing the truth about God and His love is so important. It's only when we completely see His love that our hearts and minds can be transformed. It's realizing Jesus did not come to die for your sins, He came and died because He loved you and that was the only way to be back in direct connection with you. He loves you that much!

Once we truly surrender, experience, and live in the love of God each day, it becomes what we want others to experience too. That's the key to the freedom of all, sharing what God has done for you so they may be free as well.

This is the power of love.

This is the power of God.

God IS love

It's not just what He does or how He acts sometimes, it is who He is at all times.

He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

1 John 4:8 AMPC

Lord, I want to surrender my whole life to you. My mind, my decisions, my job, my family, everything. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who died because of your great love for me. Only you can help me to completely surrender to you and transform my mind. I ask that you open my mind and heart to your voice and bring wisdom and understanding to me as I study your example and your words. Thank you for loving me, thank you for entrusting me to be a part of your kingdom. I want others to see you when they see me. I know I cannot do this on my own, I need your help. Do in me what only you can do as I surrender my will to you. In Jesus name. Amen

Pray this with me...