On Bended Knee

Surrender
It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12

One of the first original sins that drove Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit was that she wanted to be JUST LIKE GOD! She wanted to do her own thing, and that she did! What did it get her? It got her butt thrown out of the garden and numerous other curses thrown upon her and Adam for their disobedience. They had complete freedom, they just couldn't eat from that one tree but they couldn't follow that one rule!

There are a few friends of mine that I have prayed for years. I have prayed and contemplated why they have never surrendered their lives to Christ. I can only come up with one thing...They are so accustomed to handling life alone, in their own way, they don't want to lose control of letting go of their old life and their old way of doing things! I often think that it is most difficult for men to surrender their lives to Christ. He created men to provide for their families, to be problem solvers, to handle many situations of crisis. By surrendering and saying, "Christ, I am a sinner, please forgive me. I give you every aspect of my heart and my life to do as you will." By saying these things, you have to trust and let go. The first act of surrender is a bent knee, acknowledging that there is only one God, that Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord of all the earth and Lord of my life.

Surrender is a journey. It is a never ending relinquishing of my rights and my wants. There are times that I want to hold back bits and pieces thinking that I can control certain events, certain people, I can change the outcome of the lives around me.

Even when I see weaknesses in my own character, like a consistent eating and exercise plan, I try to do these things in my own power and knowledge. I fail miserably time and time again. He wants even these parts of me. He wants me to ask for His help in being victorious. Recently, I decided to give up the fight. Apart from Him, I can't fight this current battle so I give up, I've given it to Him!

What do you hold back and have a difficult time surrendering? Is it your entire life? Is it your wants and desires? Is it a person that you love that you know is not God's best for you?

The word picture that I keep in the front of my mind is my hand. A closed fist reminds me that I choose to choose my own way. An open hand reminds me that I release all of my life to Him, allowing Him to guide me and my future.