Strong Start - a Devotion on StrengthSample

Strength to Surrender

Surrender is a tricky word, a scary word even. The act of surrendering is no small feat. It takes a lot of strength, willpower, and faith. As long as you are following Christ, you'll be engaging in surrender. Quite frankly, every single day is a day of surrendering; a day of submitting to the plans of the One who is orchestrating your destiny.

Using the focus scripture as a framework, we can define surrender into three components:

"If anyone would come after me" - surrender begins with following God.

" ...let him deny Himself..." - surrender is a matter of self-denial.

" ...and take up his cross daily and follow me." - surrender is a decision that has to be made daily; it's a daily vow renewal.

It is difficult to say which of these things are the hardest to follow through on, but what can be said is that it all requires a great amount of strength. To fully follow Christ is honorable, but it's a heavy cross to tote. To abandon your need to be in control while trusting the One who has all control is real surrender.

Today is the perfect day to acquaint yourself with total submission. Or maybe even reacquaint yourself with it. What God has prepared for you is riding on your ability to lean in.

Father, thank You for the honor of following You. Help me to see the treasure of surrendering to You. Give me the strength to forsake all, just to follow You.