Living a Life of Surrender
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.'" — Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Mark stood on one side of a small hill, his eyes looked down, across, back down to the stream of clear water flanked by interesting rocks and plants, then up where another small mountain rose on the other side. As a child he frequently ran up and down these idyllic landscapes, looking at an abundance of tiny fish and climbing trees laden with avocados, plums and figs. He considered how much he loved the land, and now all twelve acres of it belonged to him. His dream of an enchanting retreat center with an Olympic sized swimming pool faded even in his thoughts as he envisioned foreign lands where he would put his gift of being a skilled surgeon to work with children born with disabilities. He raised his hands in surrender, and breathed deeply as his heart surrendered to his calling.
Living a life of surrender isn’t about weakness—it’s about strength under divine control. It means laying down our desires, plans, and fears at the feet of Jesus, trusting that His will is better than ours. In a world that prizes self-promotion and independence, surrender can seem countercultural. Yet, it is the very path to freedom and peace in Christ.
Jesus set the ultimate example of surrender when He prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). His life was a continuous offering to the Father, and we are called to follow in His footsteps. Surrender isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily choice. It’s in the small decisions, the quiet prayers, and the hidden obedience.
When we surrender, we stop striving and start abiding. We stop performing and start trusting. We let go of control and lean into the arms of a God who holds all things together.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Today I choose to surrender. Not just the big things, but the everyday moments, thoughts, and decisions. Help me to release my grip and trust Your perfect will. Teach me to walk in humility, obedience, and peace as I follow You. I lay down my plans and pick up my cross. Have Your way in me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
