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The definition of surrender according to wikipedia means to capitulate; to give up control or possession to another specifically to yield to an enemy or to a higher power. To give one self up to the power of another or to submit or give in.
Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew words states the definition of surrender means : to deliver, present, to give-up .
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance states: to shield, to rescue, to hand over safely, to deliver.
What does it mean to surrender? We surrender to a lot of different things or people in our lives. Some of us can not deal very well with life's challenges and therefore surrender to drug or alcohol. Maybe we surrender to someone who seems to be stronger than we are because we are looking for that secure place. As someone who has lived a life that was completely surrendered to what I thought was a good, decent life. Notice I said what I thought was good. Never in my life would I have said that my life was lacking. When you grow up in a dysfunctional home (of which most of us grow up in) you believe that your dysfunction is good. Then about 14 Years ago I had a encounter with Jesus and my thought of what my life was like didn't look so good. I think there are times when you come face to face with who you are and it is at that moment you will make a decision to either change or stay the same. I chose to change and believe me it was a decision I second guessed everyday. I surrendered my heart and life to God simply because I had made such a mess of things and found myself asking if this is really the way it is supposed to be, God really had his hands full with trying to sort out the real me and the facade I had in place. It would be a year later when I came to understand what it means to absolutely surrender to God and His will for my life.
I have often heard that if you are not being changed by God's Word then God's Word is not saving you. Which is probably true, because if I had stayed the same I would not be a very happy camper. Many of us can say that we are not the same people that we were before Salvation as we are after. Not saying that we are perfect because God's Word says "He is the one who will perfect and complete the work in you." Like the man in the movie I believe we all have the moment when we are faced with the persona of who we really are. When I had to take a good hard look in the mirror and see who was looking back at me it was whoa!!!!!!. I capitulated and gave up possession of my life and heart. I can tell you that when I made that decision I could literarily hear the chains that I was bound up in break! That is a sound I will never forget.
Many people think that when you surrender it is not a good thing. After all countries surrendering to bigger countries are usually swallowed up and never heard from again. But we don't know or realize what they gained or what we gain when we surrender.
"Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “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 good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? Luke 9:23 msg."
I know that when you get everything you want you will still never be satisfied. But God put a piece of himself in all of us and because of that we are always going to wonder: is this all there is? I know that life with God is not a bed of roses because life always has thorns in it. God never promised that following Him would be easy He just has said it would be worth it ( I think that is a cross stitch somewhere).
I could so relate to this movie because it one part this guys friend said it all. He said it isn't so much about surrendering as it is letting go and letting God have the control. Letting go is hard for those of us who are control freaks. But honestly since I have given God permission to control my life (a decision I have to make daily, sometimes minute by minute) I am much freer because I am not trying to figure out what is going to happen here and there or who is going to mistreat me and how will I react to that. I am still human and I make mistakes just like everyone else the only thing I have over becoming a control freak again is that I have learned that God goes before me and He has a better way. He makes my paths straight, sometimes he puts big rocks in the road to see if I will let Him push them or if I will try and push them. Many times I push and push and push some more before I give up and let God do what He does best.
When I fall on my knees and lift my hands towards heaven and say to God, here I am again Lord I surrender to your plan for my life, to your holding me and loving me as no one else can. This is where I gain my strength and my joy and my peace. A life surrendered does not mean defeat. It means I am protected, I am loved, I have someone who cares about the paths I take, and most of all it means I have someone who walks beside me holding my hand saying. " This is the way walk in it and I will always be here."
