So often we think of surrender as a negative thing. Our culture prides itself on originality as we're encouraged to step out with a "large and in charge" attitude. With opinions, impressions, convictions - we're taught that to be our own boss, our own dictator of direction is to reach true freedom. Hustling our way through life, we learning how to succeed by making sure we have the last word: a say so in our future and to embrace the bright promise of self-ambition.
But I wonder, is this really the healthiest way to approach life? Are we meant to be our own life designers? Dreams and ambitions is clearly a good thing, a gift. But without surrender do they only serve to own me? Personally, I find myself wanting a leader, a final word, the knowledge that I'm truly walking in what God has before me. And to my own astonishment, I actually don't want to be in charge!
This past season, I've been struck by the powerful nature of surrender. Instead of viewing it as a necessary evil only out to spoil my expectations, dreaming or life planning, I'm beginning to see it as wonderfully freeing. I love when Jesus talks about taking up our cross. The very next verse is about finding our life and he says that those who lose their life, will find it. It's really is true and oh so comforting. To surrender, to let yourself go in God, is to find yourself.
What a beautiful mystery! That loosing ourselves in Him can result in the most security of all. I feel like this one might take a life-time to discover, but why not just go for it. Contrary to what we are taught, surrender is full of joy, not just pain. With God nothing is impossible and thankfully, not everything has to make sense either.
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