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Surrender

...surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.
Romans 6:1

Surrender is an unpopular word; it evokes images of admitting defeat or forfeiting the game. In today’s world where winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. Yet it’s the heart of Christian living. Why? For two reasons: (1) We don’t trust God enough. You won’t surrender to God unless you trust Him, and you won’t trust Him unless you’re convinced that He loves you. If you want to know how God feels about you, look at Christ with His arms outstretched on the cross saying, ‘I love you this much’. (2) We can’t admit our limitations. A second barrier to total surrender is our inability to admit that we’re not in charge. It’s the oldest temptation: ‘‘ye shall be as gods’’ (Genesis 3:5). Our desire for ‘control’ is the cause of so much stress in our lives. We accept our humanity intellectually, but not in reality. When faced with our own limitations we react with anger and resentment. We want to be taller or shorter, smarter or stronger, more talented, more beautiful, or wealthier. We want to have it all and do it all, and we become upset when it doesn’t happen. When we notice that God gave others characteristics we don’t have, we respond with envy, jealousy and self-pity. ‘What’s the answer’? you ask. Jesus said, ‘If people want to follow Me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow Me’ (Luke 9:23 NCV). Surrendering to God is something you do each day - and sometimes each hour!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to recognize my personal limitations – which are only limitations if I rely on myself alone. Help me to trust you – knowing that in you ALL things are possible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen