Surrender

What does it mean to actually surrender? In spirituality it means that a believer completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of a higher power. Are we actually surrendered to God? Are we able to allow things in our life to happen as they need to happen? Do we allow the circumstances of our life to be as they are, or do we attempt to change them with our will, thoughts, ideas and actions? Most people encounter God from a Christian perspective and get "saved." They accept that God loves them and Christ died for them, but that is about where their spiritual life stops. They have their ticket and say "thanks for loving me God and giving me a way to heaven, but I will take it from here." We never surrender or allow God to work. We then begin to assert our will and actually become angry when God does not do things the way we think they should be done. We do not allow God to work, we have no faith, no trust.

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

I think the word surrender can be looked at as allowing. Are we going to allow God (spirit) to work as it likes? Are we going to go with the flow of the spirit. There is an metaphor I like to use to illustrate this idea. Imagine that you are floating down a river with a life vest on going with the current of the river. Suddenly you decide that you do not like going this way and you want to swim back up stream, so you turn around and begin to swim upstream. It is not long before you are tired, angry, frustrated, scared, and asking yourself why this is happening. Really all you had to do was continue to enjoy the trip down river. We do the same in our life. We swim against the flow of God's spirit and try to go different directions, rather than just relaxing in the natural flow. When we do this and do not surrender to the flow of spirit, all of our anger, frustration, depression, anxiety, and worry spring from this place. We do not believe that God "cares enough to respond to us." We do not believe that the Creator knows best. Today surrender yourself to God and just notice what is happening while you gently float downstream with the flow of spirit allowing yourself to

"Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Phillipians 2:12-14