I surrender! What’s the first image that comes to mind when you hear those words? White flags being waved from behind a pile of rubble? Hands raised in the air, head held low? Perhaps you see it as coming to the end of yourself, like you have lost, given up or quit. In many contexts that can be exactly what it is happening. But remember we serve the God who has created the upside down kingdom! He tells us that in order to rise high we are going to have to get low. If we want to be the greatest we need to serve others.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Matthew 23:12 NIV
But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
Luke 22:26
The disciples expected Jesus to come in and rule and reign, to overthrow the romans and set up his kingdom here on earth. He did indeed bring his kingdom to earth in the most powerful act of love, but it wasn’t how anyone expected, not even the devil. He didn’t fight harder, no He laid down his life. He surrendered, He yielded, He let go of “his rights” for the greater good. He knew His life laid down would open the door for people like you and me to be able to be empowered by the same spirit that raised him from the dead.
And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
Can you see when we surrender to God it is an empowering moment? Yes, we wave the white flag on trying to fight our own battles. We give up striving, and we quit trying to save ourselves and make something of our lives without Jesus. He isn’t something that we add to our lives so that we can make our lives better. Jesus didn’t die for us, He died as us.
“Jesus, this is my life and these are my dreams, are you are here to serve me?” Yes, He loves to bless us but the truth is our lives are not our own. We have been bought with a price and on the other side of surrender is Jesus, the person in whom our lives find true meaning. We give him all of ourselves. With every broken part turned over to Jesus, He gives us His righteousness. Not only that, but He gives us the greatest reward of all, Himself.
Are you ready to hand over your life to Jesus? Listen to our latest podcast titled Surrender.