The Battle For Control

"Surrender is not the surrender of the external life, but of the will; when that is done, all is done." -Oswald Chambers

Surrender of my will to God seems like a continual battle for me. Since the day I was born it has been my constant companion. Almost every moment of everyday is a conscious and unconscious fight of my will in opposition to God. I know that a lot of people can hear the word "surrender and consider it to be a negative thing. They can think of it as something cowardly or demeaning, but where our will and God are concerned that is not the case. Nancy Leigh DeMoss highlights that fact in one of her books...

"This surrender did not strip the creation of dignity or freedom; to the contrary, surrender was and still is the source and means of true freedom and fullness...to surrender to the Creator's control is not onerous or burdensome; it is, in fact, the place of blessing, fullness and peace."

I have sometimes wondered why God doesn't just command me into submission or reject me altogether, but God has shown me time and time again His patient love and care. Like Psalm 103 says, God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve.

"From the very first skirmish, God set into motion a plan devised in eternity past, to restore man back to a place of surrender to His control. Possessing absolute power, He could have chosen to bludgeon His rebellious creatures into submission. However, because He desires a loving personal relationship with men and women, created in His likeness, he opted first to woo and win the hearts of His creatures. He wants their willing, volitional surrender."

I am learning that the very things I am unwilling to surrender to God, even good things, quickly become enemies in my relationship with the Lord. What is it that we are in battle for control over? Whatever the answer to that question is, there is a solution that God has called us to respond with. Surrender. I am most miserable when I am fighting for control and most joyful when I have submitted everything into the hands of my sovereign and trustworthy God. I' not sure why I would ever want to control things in my life knowing what I know, but it is a daily battle and I'm sure will be a lifelong one as well. Today I am praying that I will be able to fully surrender all to God. He has never failed me and I know He never will.

"But those who trust in Him will find ultimate, eternal joy in that glad-hearted surrender."