“Having been born into the kingdom of God, I do hereby acknowledge that God’s purchase of my life included all the rights and control of that life for all eternity.”* What a profound statement. I can almost hear my pastor’s voice saying, “And all God’s people said … ‘Amen.’”
After all, this is Christianity 101, right? Wouldn’t we all agree that those purchased from the slave block of sin become willing bond-servants of their Redeemer? Someone summed up that transaction by saying, “A bond-servant’s will becomes altogether consumed with the will of their heavenly Father.” That’s great theology. But I wonder what it looks like practically for you and me to fully submit to the control of our Redeemer.
In the midst of family, schedules, ministry responsibilities, and to-do lists, how do we truly embrace the words of the chorus, “Here’s my life, I lay it down; I surrender it all to you … I let go and give it to you”?
Singing a song is one thing, but when “great theology” becomes “rubber-meets-the-road reality,” it can be a bit more challenging. I came face-to-face with that challenge one afternoon in the middle of my kitchen floor.
For months the Lord had been speaking to me about an area of surrender. It began initially as a simple question from my husband, “Would you be willing …?” I laughed at the ridiculousness of the thought. Surely he wasn’t serious.
As time passed, the question resurfaced, only this time it was in the Sunday morning sermon, then on the radio, then in my quiet time, and of all places on a billboard! (No, I’m not kidding.) I could no longer avoid the obvious. Clearly the Lord was asking me to set aside my plans, desires, and dreams. Was I willing to lay it all down? The cost seemed inconceivably great.
I knew obedience was the right response. I understood surrender brings deeper intimacy and the blessings of my heavenly Father. And yet, I wavered. Logical reasoning and personal desires battled against the call to lay it all down. Did I really believe my Lord had a right to call the shots in this area of my life? Could I thank Him for calling me to surrender even if it didn’t make sense in my mind?
With trembling heart, I knelt on my kitchen floor and whispered, “Here’s my life, Lord. I don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense, but I know You are trustworthy. I will obey … regardless of the cost.”
Though several years have passed, my heart overflows almost daily with gratitude for all the Lord has done as a result of that call to surrender. My life truly has never been the same!
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Deut. 7:9).
The transaction happened in a moment. The acknowledgment of what was already true: God has full rights to my life. It’s not mine … it’s His.
What’s He asking of you today? Is there an area where you need to say, “Here’s my life, Lord—I lay it down”?
*Excerpted from Russell Kelfer's "Promise Pledge."
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It's been said that the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. Perhaps this is similar. We can't really find God's will when we're demanding He take ours under consideration first! Surrender says, "Your will, not mine, be done." So hard sometimes, but Father God is worthy of our fullest trust.
Thanks for sharing truth with transparency!
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 2:31 am
My daily surrender is time. Time to pause and sense His presence & provision. Even when I'm watching a movie, I have the sense of God being present & pause & speak to Him in my heart. And hear the Verses & sense of Him always being their.
But I also know I need to make a list of areas that I haven't yielded to His will. Diet, etc. And I just need to do as Elizabeth Elliot says; "Just do the next thing." We could all use pray; me too
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 3:02 am
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:02 am
God is in control. Period. What we discover in allowing God to have control is joy. My life is a series of "What do I do next, Father? Prepare a meal, make a bed, wear old jeans or a skirt and sweater? Those daily choice guided by God's loving hand is what encompasses complete surrender of our control to God's control..
Often we look at the BIG picture, and expect great results at surrendering control. In reality, when God is in control and not me, I feel contentment, peae, joy, willingness to do for others all day long. Then my time is His time and what is done is up to Him. All of you out there who are "clean fanatics" probably wouldn't like my approach, but I can get all things done necessary and still do things for others, and still have personal time. God just simply, quietly, guides. It's a wonderful way to live, but it is not a bargain I made with God It is just living day by day.
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 9:35 am
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:11 am
Thank you for this, Carrie.
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:21 am
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:26 am
My dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly almost two years ago(Feb.). He was having an outpatient procedure done and the dr. made a mistake resulting in his death. I was over 1000 miles away, by the time I got to him he was in and out of conciousness, I had a few words with him and he was gone. I had to say out loud, O God do not let me dishonor You in this dark valley because I was very angry at the drs who made these mistakes. I immersed and saturated myself in the Psalms for over a year, that was and is God's Word to me. Praying for you Patsy as you spend this Christmas without your mom.
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:31 am
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 12:07 pm
The thing I have been battling, is whether to buy this beautiful china which I found and is at a great price and which I will use in entertaining. I even have it in layaway and yet the nagging thought kept coming to me, you don't need it, God doesn't want you to have it, etc.
I am so willing to sell other china that I have which continues to increase in value since it was "made in England," and yet the nagging thought are still there.
Has anyone had a similar experience and how did you solve it?
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 12:39 pm
The question to ask is this the best way to spend the money God has given to you? God knows who needs the money the most. Maybe He wants you to give the money to someone in need. God also knows your future, so maybe you may need to the money for something else down the road. If I had doubts about doing something I probably wouldn't do it. If you have china be thankful for what God has already given to you. Another thought, maybe the new china will cause someone to be jealous and that would be a stumbling block. Just some things to think about. Pray about all things and then wait on the Lord. Don't work things out yourself but rather let the Lord work them out. Then the Lord will recieve the glory for all things.
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree that surrender is never a bargain with God or a manipulative attempt to gain a return favor. Rather, surrender is the appropriate response of a bond-servant redeemed from the slave bock of sin to her Redeemer.
When we enter into the New Covenant through Jesus Christ we surrender our “right” to live independently; in reality we “die” so that Christ’s life can live through us.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20).
This process of dying or surrendering happens both in a moment and for a lifetime. Nancy addresses this in her excellent book Surrender: The Heart God Controls: http://store.reviveourhearts.com/surrendertheheartgodcontrolswguide.aspx
“Our initial surrender to Christ was the launching pad for a lifetime of continual surrender and sacrifice. Now, on a daily, perpetual basis, we are called to live out that consecration, by responding to the various circumstances and choices of life in obedience and surrender to His will.”
I pray we will all be quick to obey as the Lord reveals areas of our lives we have yet to surrender to His sovereign control.
Blessings ~
Carrie
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I’m praying for you tonight, dear friend! My heart cries out, “Say it, Sandra…say it!” You will never, regret laying it all on the altar. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isa. 55:9).
He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that you could ever ask or think (Eph. 3:20).
Praying ~
Carrie
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief (Ps. 31:9).
I am so sorry to hear of your Mother’s recent death; please accept our deepest sympathy. I can only imagine the myriad of emotions you are experiencing as you grieve the loss of your Mother and spiritual mentor.
As you walk through this season of grief, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the Psalms. Let God bring comfort and strength to you through the truth of His Word. I would like to send you a copy of Hope in Times of Grief a small booklet filled with the precious promises from God. I will contact you through e-mail to get your mailing address.
I pray that the Lord’s great mercy would be a solace to you and your family during these days. May you find comfort in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning (Ps. 130:1-2, 6).
In Christ ~
Carrie
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Thank you for sharing your situation. I think we’ve all faced situations where we wanted something, but were unsure of the wisdom in purchasing it. Here are a few thoughts for you to consider:
•A foundational principle of sound money management is to never make a purchase that you are unsettled about. A lack of peace is often a caution from the Holy Spirit.
•If you are married ask your husband for his advice before making a major purchase or one you are unsettled about.
•Never make a purchase just because it is on sale.
•Consider if this purchase reflects a lack of discontentment with what you already have.
As you prayerfully consider this purchase, I encourage you to read Randy Alcorn’s book The Treasure Principle http://www.lifeaction.org/store/product/the-treasure-principle/. This book will help to give you an eternal perspective on financial matters.
Blessings,
Carrie
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Thank you so much for your post and for your wise and loving responses to the other ladies. I have both books that you referenced in your responses to Karyl and Lore,
"Surrender:The Heart God Controls" and "The Treasure
Principle." Both books are challenging to live out, to say the least!! I've read Nancy's book on surrender twice, and still am struggling with saying "Yes, Lord" as a way of life. It really is easy to sing, "I Surrender All", but quite another thing to live it out, to die to self daily. I know I am not fully surrendered to the Lord, that there are areas (particularly ministry-related) that I think I am holding back on, but God is not finished with me yet. The desire of my heart is to be like Him, and so I trust that He will continue to work in my heart to bring me to that place of full surrender. I am so thankful for the ministry of ROH and True Women that challenge us and encourage us to be the women God wants us to be. Thank you for your example.
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 11:47 pm
also, this mornings daily Devotional by Elisabeth Elliot.
Even our "daily surrenders" bring to mind John 15..apart from HIM we can do nothing.
Zechariah 4:6...all....even surrender...is
....by His Spirit....
Being in Right Relationship with Him is first....and then everything we say and do is an "overflow" so that we do what is right in HIS EYES....and not our own....
"Be filled NOW'.....and the next now....both now and forever....
for His Name's sake.
Rejoicing in Him,
Linda Joy
on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 12:12 pm
First, God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. But deep down in my spirit, I knew that I had to die to the world ways, let God live through me for my life is not my own, and to be available to him at all times.
Was I willing to do this? After looking back to the cross, where Jesus laid down His life for me and the remission of my sins, that I may have eternal life and have access to pray to my Father. I thank God for Jesus obedience for this is true compassion of Love, Grace, and Mercy for his children.
God wants a willing vessel to save the lost from a dying world. So I'm letting go and L. E. T. God and this mean (Love God, Embrace Others, Touch Destiny)
posted by Freddie
on March 29, 2011 at 2:04
on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 3:06 pm