THE SECRET OF SURRENDER

“One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is life-long can only be surrendered in a lifetime.”  – Jim Elliot.

In American culture, surrender is rarely seen as a positive idea. It is commonly seen as giving up or losing. But to a Christian, surrender is an act of faith: it is the first act for those coming to salvation and a continual habit of those walking with Christ. Spiritually surrendering means letting go of control and trusting God with our present and future. Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The returning prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 is a picture of what it means to surrender to God. The son gives up on his way of life and returns to the father, hoping to be a servant. His surrender is met with rewards beyond his expectations. He receives open arms, lavish love, and a new life as a restored son.

Jesus lived a life of continual surrender to the Father. ”So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 5:19). As He said to the Father when the time came to surrender His life, “I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42).

Walking with Jesus means continual surrender, trusting that the God who made you has a plan for you and loves you. You aren’t surrendering your God-given identity and uniqueness when you surrender to Christ. We surrender not for fear or threat but in the hope that the One to whom we surrender has a better life for us.

In surrender, God may—or may not—give us what we want. But when we surrender, He always wants to provide us with Himself. When we surrender, we always receive what is best: the Lord Jesus.When we surrender our lives, we give up ourselves minute-by-minute, day after day. We give up our will, fears, comfort, and control.

Surrender isn’t about giving up; it’s about giving in to the One who knows what is best for us, to the One who knows us most and has a perfect plan.  Surrender is the only real way to experience His peace.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is an area of your life that you know you need to surrender to God? 
2. What might you be giving up if you do surrender that area to God? 
3. Do you believe that surrendering to God could actually benefit you? How?