See all Loving in the Red Zones

I SURRENDER…. FOR REAL!

When 2008 began, I repeatedly heard one phrase describe how some saw the year: “I’m gonna get it straight in 2008!” When I heard the phrase the first time, I liked it and said that I was going to use it for myself. But I have another one that makes more sense for what I’ve been dealing with lately—“Fighting with God is stupid.” It’s not as catchy but perfectly sums up my new attitude for 2008. 

A few weeks ago, I thought I was fighting for God. Some things shifted that made me see that most of the time I was really fighting against God. (I went down swinging, but I lost every time). Just as I was dealing with this truth, a close friend shared how he was learning how to surrender more to God. As I listened admiringly to his transparent explanation, I wondered how he could have known that I was dealing with that same issue. To me, it was just another confirmation that I needed to work harder at surrender. 

Just like babies, our strong resistance means that we know we need to let go of that one thing. Babies get irritable when they get sleepy. Like my great nephew who resists all attempts to rock him to sleep by vigorously moving his body and rubbing his left ear, they usually fight valiantly. Once he stops fighting and finally drifts off to sleep, he looks like a peaceful little angel. Similarly, we may have a hard time letting go of things like being angry, overspending, lying, sleeping around, or gossiping. As we surrender, there is a peace that comes.

Why would anyone fight with the all-knowing, omnipotent, omnipresent God and expect to win? My friend said that it’s a natural human response to fight even if it is against God. Unlike fights that happen because of “he said/she said” misunderstandings, fights with God are usually “He said/I said I wasn’t going to obey” misunderstandings. Strangely, the thing we fight with God about is usually the thing that God knows we need most. 

Remember that God is sovereign. He has the best in mind and will do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. We can’t live our lives like the song by Frank Sinatra and do it “our way” when we say Jesus is Lord of our life. Romans 6:16 says, “Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)? The famous bumper sticker “Jesus is my co-pilot” has it wrong. Jesus wants to be in full control.