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Sep 17
The concept of “surrender” is rarely perceived as a desirable goal in a culture that is dominated by competitiveness and the mindset of never giving up. The idea of surrender conveys placing yourself at the mercy of and under the control of another. This can be a difficult concept to embrace for us, given our natural proclivity to seek independence and control. We desire to exert our influence through choice and effort. This same desire can easily lead us to a place of “needing” to understand things around us, to explain events and situations in a way that reflects a clear purpose. The problem with this mindset is that when we seek understanding before becoming willing to surrender we don’t truly surrender. Rather, it becomes a calculated decision to do what we think is in our best interest based on our perception and understanding. Too many times, this is the type of “surrender” we offer to God. Yet this type of “surrender” is not “surrender” at all but rather “suing for peace”. The implied or expressed belief is one of “I will give in to God when He shows me how it will be in my best interest to do so.”
by Terry Norris, LifeCHANGE counselor
“So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, ‘It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him.’” – 1 Samuel 3:18
The concept of ‘surrender’ is rarely perceived as a desirable goal in a culture that is dominated by competitiveness and the mindset of never giving up. The idea of surrender conveys placing yourself at the mercy of and under the control of another. This can be a difficult concept to embrace for us, given our natural proclivity to seek independence and control. We desire to exert our influence through choice and effort. This same desire can easily lead us to a place of “needing” to understand things around us, to explain events and situations in a way that reflects a clear purpose. The problem with this mindset is that when we seek understanding before becoming willing to surrender we don’t truly surrender. Rather, it becomes a calculated decision to do what we think is in our best interest based on our perception and understanding. Too many times, this is the type of “surrender” we offer to God. Yet this type of “surrender” is not “surrender” at all but rather “suing for peace”. The implied or expressed belief is one of “I will give in to God when He shows me how it will be in my best interest to do so.”
Contrast this with the words of Eli from 1 Samuel quoted above. Eli spoke these words after Samuel had told him that it was God’s intent to basically wipe out Eli’s entire house because of the sin of his sons. This message through Samuel confirmed what God had all ready told Eli. Still Eli responded with “It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him”. Eli was exhibiting a type of surrender to God that did not seek understanding or even clarity on how God’s exercised will would be in Eli’s best interest. Rather, he simply acknowledged that God’s will is His will and He would carry out what He desired. I wonder if, through His service as priest, Eli had come to a deeper understanding of God’s goodness. An understanding which left him no desire to even question God’s will, knowing that God’s will was always the best interest of His people (Romans 8:28).
In his book ‘I Call It Heresy’, A.W. Tozer writes: “Heaven is a place of surrender to the whole will of God and it is Heaven because it is such a place.” Does it seem logical then that the more we surrender our desires, thoughts, wills, and actions to God’s will the more ‘Heavenly’ our lives will become? The first step in reaching for the surrender that Eli was able to capture is to trust, with or without clear understanding, that God is sovereign and that He is good. In His sovereignty, He will act as He pleases. In His goodness, He will act in the best interest of those He loves. Humility is the key to reaching this place of surrender. We must recognize that not only do we not need to understand all of God’s ways but, further that we never could even if we tried. The recognition of our position of creature to a creator is essential. Understanding of God’s character and nature must always be pursued. Understanding of His of ways must always be insignificant in our struggle to surrender to His will. Eli understood that not even death could impede God’s will. The mindset of Eli, that God is God and He can and should do what seems good to Him, is a path to freedom; freedom from worry, stress, anxiety, and even a need to perform for God’s blessings. It is also a path to resting in the peace of God. This mindset is the beginning of experiencing the truth of Psalm 46: 1-3:
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.”