Choosing the Surrendered Life
As a youth pastor, I was honored to know a student named Mike. Mike was a State Heavyweight wrestling champion. He was big, strong, and could make you “submit” any time he wanted!
I wrestled Mike once. That was enough.
In a matter of seconds, he redefined for me what surrendering, giving up, and tapping out meant! Let me tell you, learning those lessons in short order was valuable. I wish I had applied those lessons in my life much quicker than I actually did!
As I reflect on this journey of surrender that we have taken this past week, I see clearly that there are three ways to live:
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Take the wheel—live with a rebellious heart toward God.
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Grab the wheel—live with a divided heart.
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Surrender the wheel—live with a surrendered heart.
I have experienced the struggle of taking the wheel and grabbing it back, and I have tasted the freedom of surrender. Choosing surrender is not easy, but it is the only path to an abundant life.
Surrender is daily. It is active. It requires trust.
Surrender frees me from the burden of self-reliance and opens the door to God’s power at work in me. Today, I choose to let Jesus drive my life. I don’t want to just sing “I Surrender All”—I want to live it.
Surrendering to God not only produces amazing fruit or reward in your own life, but it also spills over into the lives of others. When people see the joy of surrendering to Jesus, there is something in them that craves that kind of purpose and potential as well. Listen to what Jesus said:
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24, NIV)
Your life matters… And it can matter even more if you hand it all over to Jesus! Let’s pray together:
Lord, I choose to surrender fully to You today. I lay down my will, my desires, my fears, and my plans. I invite You to guide me, transform me, and use me for Your purposes. Help me live with a surrendered heart every day, trusting that Your ways are higher and Your plans are better than mine. I pray this in the power of Jesus’ name. Amen.
Never forget my friend—
You are a miracle!
