Surrender  

:  to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort>

:  to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

:  to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

:  to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

When we hear the term surrender, it provokes thoughts of weakness, of a giving up. So, when I find myself telling folks to just surrender to Jesus (and I do it often) a perplexed look often follows. This world promotes power and self reliance, independence and self sufficiency. So when someone tells us to surrender, it sounds illogical. We work hard to get through school, college, climb the ranks at work and NOW you want me to SURRENDER?! Allow me to clarify.

I am no theologian, but I can tell you what surrender means to me. Every day, every hour most days, thoughts enter my head of “what if”… and “why me”… and “if only”…They serve to torture me and cause unrest. So I surrender. I surrender to the One who has it all worked out, the One who has already seen how this saga plays out, my God who is the only constant in my life. I surrender to Him, but not as a prisoner. I give up my will to control things that I can’t control anyway. I give up the resistance that causes endless hours of frustration and anguish. I give myself over to knowing that He has His best plan for me. He loves me, and He will further me. Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. I only have to surrender and follow.


 That my friends, is not the easy way out, it is the ONLY way out.....of this sinful world and into an eternity spent with Him.

Surrender in the context of Jesus is not easy, but it really is simple. Giving up control, giving up completely, giving oneself over, not to become captive, but to become free!  We spend countless days and years trying to control others, our circumstances and our outcomes. But how successful are we, really? I am not suggesting that we stop making smart choices or that we stop learning, I am saying that by giving control to a mighty and powerful God, the one true God, all of our efforts, as they line up with His will, will not be in vain. 
1 Peter 5:6-10 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  


You see, the results of a life lived in and through Him are obviously better. Our successes will be bigger and our shortcomings not as devastating. 


Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 
   Your life will not be without trials, but the trials become bearable with Him as your guide. He will charter the path, and you get to go along for the ride. When you do all things for Him and His kingdom, success is measured in a different way. You cannot fail when you surrender.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
So repeatedly I turn away from me and give it all to Him. 
Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

  Do you know Jesus? All you need to do is accept His invitation. He did the work when He died on the cross to save all of us from our sins. Answer Him, accept His gift of forgiveness and yes, surrender to His will for your life.    

 

 

I remember a sassy 18 year old sitting at her mom's kitchen table announcing emphatically," I do not want kids!" I also remember a troubled mother scowling in disbelief. How could I not want what she had? There were seven of us, and while times were often tough, she was full. Full of love, contentment and joy as a mom. Selfless and patient were her attributes. Discipline and control were her missions. As a young widow, she was both mom and dad. Her hands were full, but her arms were always open. 
Our friends called her "mom," too.  She welcomed everyone like family. Her compassion and concern for others exemplified her character.  I am blessed beyond measure to have a mom so special and grateful to still have her here with me!
Thirty plus years and five kids later, I now understand my mother's reaction. My 5 blessings keep my heart beating. I cannot imagine a day without them. 
God has richly blessed me as a mom, and as a daughter of one of the best! Happy Mothers Day, Mom...I love you!

Forgiving

Scripture is clear on the subject of forgiveness.
Matthew 6:12 
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Ephesians 4:32 
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you
Matthew 6:14-15  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses  
Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven
1 Peter 3:9  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Sounds easy enough, but I struggle. I didn’t consider myself a grudge holder, but as time goes on, I think I may be just that. I allow past hurts to heave up, and with them come the feelings of anger and bitterness. I allow them to permeate my thoughts, my moods and my behavior. Just when I think I have let something go, here it comes again, with a vengeance. I am working on letting things go. I have to. Not for them, but for me and my relationship with Jesus.

 The thing I struggle most with though, is forgiving someone continually in the same behavior. I feel like, “Why should I?” But what I need to remember is that I am not releasing them from their responsibility of hurting me, I am releasing myself from the chains that bind me. Unforgiveness is a sin, plain and simple. So what do I do?

 I am first grateful to Jesus that he forgave a wretch like me. Then I, the former wretch, remember that He met me where I was and as I was. Wretched.  While feeling the effects of another’s sin is uncomfortable and downright stressful, I lean on the Almighty for sustenance. He gives me the power to endure and keep on keeping on. He will direct my path,and I take comfort knowing He is in charge. His timing is perfect, and so is His love for me.. Then I pray. I pray for healing, for me and for those who sin against me. And that’s it. It’s all I can do. I take the pain, lay it aside, and dwell in His presence. It is peaceful there.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness and salvation you so graciously gave when you sent Jesus to die for this sinner. Grant me the power to forgive those who sin against me, that I may grow in my knowledge of and relationship with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen