Freedom in Surrender
Really?
This seems so paradoxical. Well, truthfully, this is a principle found over and over in the Scripture and even Jesus Christ experienced this deep posture and attitude of humility. Everything we are taught from birth instills an individualistic and self-sufficient attitude. We are shaped and molded from all sides and our own selfishness easily embraces this way of life. Is there any hope for our weary hearts?
Hope
Yes, there is great hope! We must, however, be willing to trust that God cares for our souls even more than we do. In Philippians 2:5–8 Paul writes,
“Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Imagine for a moment the trust that it must have taken for Jesus, who is God in the flesh, with all power, to decide to empty Himself from all of His privileges and to die the death of a criminal.
Mercy
Even while he was dying, he had mercy and gave hope to the thief on the cross right next to Him. We, who are sinful, deserve death, but He did not, and yet chose to sacrifice Himself. Now, that is true surrender! And this is where the victory and power are found! Jesus said, he who gives up his life for Him finds it (Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24). Inherently, most of us know that there is more joy in giving than receiving. This has been put supernaturally in us as humans. We were meant for so much more than just being preoccupied with ourselves!
What would humility look like in your life right now? Think of one practical way that you could cultivate a more trusting attitude towards God.
Yes, there is great hope! We must, however, be willing to trust that God cares for our souls even more than we do.