Journey of Surrender

Long ago, when I gave my heart to Christ, I jumped into the driver’s seat, thanked God for the car, asked Him for the keys and expected that He would ride shotgun.

I gratefully invited Him to sit beside me to be my copilot on my journey. I wanted God in my life to help me do what I could not do on my own. I expected that He would navigate around the difficulties and smooth out the road.

Isn’t that what a copilot’s supposed to do?

For much of my life, I have had this propensity to want to be in control. It’s easier this way . . . at least that’s what I like to tell myself. It’s just plain scary letting someone else drive my car . . . even if it is the God of the Universe, who knows me better than I know myself and loves me anyway.

For a long time, fear kept me from turning over the keys to my Savior. Fear of what He might do . . . Fear of where He might take me . . . Fear of what He might ask me to achieve. I was so focused on ME that I couldn’t embrace HIM.

Mathew 16.24-26 (MSG) says this, . . .

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to LET ME LEAD. YOU’RE NOT IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT; I AM. . . Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

Surrender is never easy. Fear can be over powering and the way of suffering difficult. But God calls each one of us to pry our hands from the wheel, hand over the keys and leave the driving to Him.

When I finally relinquished control I was amazed at what I discovered! There is Freedom in Following, Joy in Trusting, and Peace in Surrender.