I’m not one for heights. I prefer my feet firmly planted on solid ground with a direct view of…you got it, more solid ground. Ledges, edges, and cliffs are for other, more adventurous people; I’ll soak up the view from well-captured photographs, thank you very much!

So, when I somehow found myself on a ropes course, up a tree, on a platform made of wobbly two-by-fours, connected to a zipline with a thin, nylon harness, and told to jump; you could say I was reluctant at best.

I believe my words were, “You want me to do what now?”

At times, this is how surrender feels. Or, how we think it will feel. We hear the word surrender, and we instantly think God is going to call us into something He/we can’t handle. We think surrender means jumping into the unknown without a net, without security, without hope. We think only of what we might have to give up, and we ignore all that we might gain. We forget that He is with us, He will equip us, and He will provide.

In my life, I have had seasons that required deep surrender. I’ve wrestled with hurt, anger, and unforgiveness. I’ve battled harmful habits, deep anxiety, and irrational fears. I’ve looked to “perfection” and performance to soothe my need to have everything under control. I’ve often said “no” to surrender due to my lack of trust in God and His loving plan for my life.

Like being trapped up on that platform in the tree, I have been desperate for another way out. Another way down.

But unlike my experience on that ropes course, God didn’t ask me to leap blindly into the abyss. Instead, He lovingly showed me how I could trust Him completely. Inch by inch, situation by situation, He showed up. He slowly transformed my callused heart into a home – His home! One where my new identity could thrive and grow. He called me into surrender by showing me I could go where I was gifted. Suddenly, the unique way in which He formed and crafted me could be used to impact the world. My love of writing, the arts, creating, teaching, deep thinking, and building relationships, could all be lovingly used to shine His light!

God invites us to surrender, not out of His need for power or control (P.S. He already has both!), but out of His complete love for us. Surrender, when reframed, becomes the sweetest invitation in life. For, instead of going our own way – which leads to sin, death, and destruction – we can lean into God’s unfathomable love, and join Him in His work, His mission, and His vision.

For Reflection:

1. How do you picture surrender? Be specific with analogies or examples. If it is a negative viewpoint, ask God to reframe your outlook into one that is more positive?

2. We are called to surrender it all, both the good and the bad. What are some areas of growth for you? What habits, mindsets, or sins is God asking you to surrender to Him? In contrast, how are you uniquely shaped and made? What makes you tic? What makes you come alive? Reflect on how those special traits and giftings can be surrendered and used by God to grow His kingdom. How can you generously give of your time, talent, or treasure?

Prayer: Lord, again we come before you, recognizing that it all begins with your love. Teach us, with your loving ways, how to fully surrender all of ourselves to your will. Give us mile markers of faith as we lean into trusting you. Use our special giftings and unique personality to glorify you. Show us that surrender can look different to different people, but it all stems from your love. Amen.