I SURRENDER ALL?

Have you ever sung I Surrender All and meant something more like “I surrender some?” This hymn, written in 1896, is easier sung than done! 

The Lord invites me to surrender everything to Him.

• As I await the doctor’s diagnosis, do I surrender anxious thoughts to Him? 
• As I experience daily suffering, do I surrender pain to Him?
• As I give up the independence and the ability to do simple things, do I surrender my cares to Him?

Even as I ponder surrender, I am having a hard time surrendering. For the past few years, I’ve struggled with several injuries from a fall on ice. Broken bones and torn ligaments limited my abilities. After my second shoulder surgery this past month and continued physical therapy, my surgeon is hopeful. I am grateful for my tissue graft donor and surgery care team.

I surrendered my independence to care for my family and my work as a caregiver for older people (which I cherished). Though I have always been the one giving care, now I am learning to be on the receiving end. 

It’s difficult to ask for help with everyday tasks like driving, cooking, cleaning, and even washing my hair. As I surrender my independence and allow others to care for me, I am grateful for the help of my loving family and friends. Through them, I see the hands and feet of Jesus surrounding me.

SURRENDER IS NOT EASY

Just as I have a great medical and personal support team, I have even greater support and strength in the Lord. Surrendering to God has not been a one-and-done process in my faith walk; this process requires effort, which suggests it is not easy. It is a continuous daily choice that always brings me peace. Amid trials, it may be difficult to understand how surrender can lead to peace. God’s Word provides helpful insights:

• Humility: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10 )
• Surrender: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 
• Trust: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

I am learning to trust God with everything as I surrender to His ways and see His Hand at work. Humility enables me to loosen the tight grip on my life and allows Jesus, my Good Shepherd, to have complete control to lead me safely home.

DIGGING DEEPER

As I dig deeper, my prayer is: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24). So I ask myself: 

• Am I holding onto bitterness?
• Have I truly forgiven others and myself?
• Am I easily angered, envious, or selfish?
• Is the battle in my mind with judging or negative thoughts?
• Do I doubt God’s love or ability to help me?

(How would you answer these questions?)

 JESUS’ SURRENDER IS MY EXAMPLE

The greatest example of surrender is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading with His Father before going to the cross. Jesus knelt and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41  )

In surrendering my life, pain, and suffering to Christ, I trust that His will and not mine be done. I accept the results. God’s ultimate plan is to shape and mold me into the image of Jesus. I begin by following Jesus’ example of accepting God’s will. 

I have found healing in confessing to a trusted friend or community group and have seen answers to so many prayers. My faithful family of believers has been such a rich blessing in helping me grow my faith; they have guided me in surrendering to the Lord, giving up my will for His, and handing total control to the one who knows best what I need.

GOD’S PERFECT PEACE 

Surrender is an open door leading to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel has transformed me from pride to humility, from control to surrender, and from fear to trust. Surrendering to God what I cannot achieve in my own power has filled my heart with His perfect peace, a peace that the benefits to come outweigh these momentary troubles. 

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I have seen God’s faithfulness in my life and the testimonies of others. I believe I will get through any trial, surrendering all to God. I already know the rest of the story …thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57) 

As I travel this journey of daily surrender to God in Christ, I pray you will join me. Will you sing with me? I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your timely word that brings redemption, transformation, and peace. Search me, Lord, and show me. Lead and guide me in my faith walk, Holy Spirit, as I surrender all to You. I trust You, Lord, and I thank You for the work You are doing in my life. I am confident that You began this work in me, and You promise to complete it. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.