Surrender
Some of us here at The JOY FM do a daily devotion in the morning, to start our days out with a “Jesus first” mindset. We have used different books to give us some structure and topics for discussion. It has really encouraged me and I’ve learned and grown through those morning meetings. It is really remarkable the bonds that can be formed in small groups.
While the morning devotion topics vary, I keep finding myself coming back to “surrender”. Surrendering is counterintuitive to what society would tell us, isn’t it? Society would tell us to be successful, have possessions, money in the bank and be in complete control of your life. Jesus tells us quite the opposite.
Romans 6:13 says, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”
We are to give ourselves completely to God. Not part of us. Not just on Sundays at church. Not just when it is convenient.
All of ourselves, all the time. Do what is right for the glory of God.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a common passage and it reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Lord has a plan for each of us but we are in the world, and battle daily against sin nature. We must make the choice to set aside our own agenda and instead seek His. We have the bad habit of getting in the way of our own spiritual success.
Our group has been reading “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer recently and I think he said it best when he said, “All our heartaches and a great many of our physical ills spring directly out of our sins. Pride, arrogance, resentfulness, evil imaginings, malice, greed: these are the sources of more human pain than all the diseases that ever afflicted mortal flesh.”
So, what is the solution to these maladies of the flesh?
Surrender.
Surrender ourselves, our pride, getting our way, the need for success, the perfect image, the huge retirement account, and all the worldly possessions.
When you find yourself in any type of relationship struggle, surrender.
When you find yourself in financial trouble, surrender.
When you find yourself being prideful, arrogant or any form of ugly, surrender.
His words are truth. He is the Creator and we are the created. Surrendering to the Almighty is always the correct solution to our sin problems.
I have discovered (and often still need to be reminded) that when I am struggling, if I put God first, I will have peace in any situation. He has surrounded me with peace, when I didn’t think it was possible. But He is the God of possible!
Matthew 11:28-30 says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
It’s a simple concept, to surrender. It’s not so simple to put into practice though. I’m working on it, and I hope you all do too! I feel confident we will all be better off, the more we surrender to the Lord!
*Amy de Graaff is the Listener Engagement Specialist with The JOY FM. She and her husband reside in Newnan. She is a child of God, animal lover, adventure seeker and crafter. You can reach her at: [email protected]