Surrendering my life? Okay God, you can have my life.
But wait, I will still be in control of this? Oh and this. And this.
Webster’s dictionary defines surrender as “to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc, because you know that you will not win or succeed: to give the control or use of (something) to someone else: to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you.”
Wow.
These are words that I’m sure sound challenging for each and every single one of us. To give the control over to someone else, truly feels like a sacrifice.
This Christmas I stepped into a transitional period. I got to spend five beautiful weeks with my family and friends. When I went to England I knew I would be returning to Brisbane. But coming back was not easy. Although Australia is the place I currently call home it hasn't made the transition feel any easier.
Ironically, living in a place of transition is all too familiar to me.
I am surrounded by people who are constantly coming and going. Plans are changing quickly. And many people I love are on the other side of the world.
You see, the lifestyle I have chosen is living in the midst of a transition. It isn't easy. It isn't comfortable. It demands a choice.
At times it can be hard because it feels like a sacrifice. But of course it should because it has cost me something. It has cost me choosing to stay when it gets tough, when I feel lonely and even when I want to pack my bags and fly away.
Exciting
The exciting news is the blessings far outweigh the cost! God is the best Father and knows our hearts.
When He called Peter to step out of the boat and onto the water, it was because He could see his potential, far beyond the momentary fears and insecurities that made him sink. So when the sacrifice feels hard, remember it is momentary - God is seeing your potential and blessing it far beyond what you can see.
I heard a preacher say that if someone held a gun up to you, you naturally put your arms up because your life is literally in their hands. Naturally you succumb to submission.
Surrender is being able to lift your hands in awe and wonder even when you don't know what’s going on. It’s being able to say in the midst of everything, I trust you Lord and You’re the One I will look to therefore I want to submit to you. I will give full control to You.
I recently heard Brian Johnson say “My dad said this the Sunday after my grandpa passed: In heaven there won’t be any pain, confusion, or loss. So I embrace my moment of pain now and give him praise in the midst of it. That's an offering I’ll never have a chance to give Him in heaven.”
God doesn't create problems, but He looks to us to see how we respond to them. We can see it as a unique offering because we can choose to worship Him in the pain. It cost us something but we can stay surrendered to the Lord.
Surrender involves a sacrifice, but more than that it is a daily adventure of saying yes to God.
And the rewards from that are worth it. Oh so worth it.
Rebecca Bowie is a young Christian who is intentionally seeking after Gods heart and striving to love people with everything. Now living in Brisbane Australia, was formerly living in London, England. She's a full-time volunteer at Youth with a Mission.
Rebecca Bowie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/becki-bowie.html