Do you ever hear a word that seems to resound deep within you? It’s as though it strikes a chord on the hidden instrument of your soul. Sometimes, the sound is a beautiful note in a heavenly chorus. Other times, it’s a pitch so painfully obvious you wish you could cover your ears or drown it out. 

This word has been just that for me. It’s a call to action I wish I could ignore, yet I know it rings true and must be obeyed.

“Surrender,” He whispers gently. His voice holding more of an invitation than a command. 

So, I go, laying aside my idols in pursuit of something higher and greater. Though the process of stripping away is uncomfortable, even painful, it brings a satisfaction in life that goes beyond the present circumstances.

Somewhere along the way, I found His promise of faithfulness to be true. The things I once held so dear fade in comparison to the faintest glimpse of His glory. 

This poem is a reminder to myself and my challenge to you. Will you step into surrender too?  

  

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Surrender 

 

Surrender is tough

It requires yielding power 

Only our all is enough

Given freely to another 

 

Yet, we toss this word around 

As if it’s painless and fun 

It even has a nice sound

Simply do it and it’s done 

 

In church, we often hear preached 

“Lay it down and let it go”

But, it’s a goal rarely reached 

Giving up control just isn’t our flow 

 

You see, we hold on so tight 

With a white-knuckled grip

To things we think are right 

Yet actually, cause us to trip 

 

We say the Lord’s prayer 

“Father, Your will be done”

Yet under the false layer 

After our goals, we run 

 

While we’re sitting in a pew

Surrender seems so easy

But when it takes more than a few

We become rather queasy  

 

For what exactly He may ask

On the person depends

What is under your mask?

To the hidden He extends

 

Of whatever you take hold 

More tightly than His hand

Be it a person or gold 

Is an idol not so grand 

 

The future you schedule…

The fear from which you hide…

What makes you comfortable…

Or maybe, it’s your pride…

 

He digs to the heart

Not for a portion or piece

He seeks every part

So that faith may increase 

 

As followers of Christ 

This action isn’t optional

Our normal is revised 

To a lifestyle of radical

 

In His Word, Jesus commanded 

“Follow Me and bear your cross”

Of His disciples, it’s demanded 

All else be counted as loss

 

Though He may not always take

Every item that we bring

A sacrifice we must make 

To the one and only true King

 

It’s not a punishment 

More like an eternal trade

Our perspective we reorient

Temporary for what will never fade

 

Though, at times, it feels whack 

Of this you can be sure 

In return, He gives back 

A future far more secure 

 

Luke 14:25-33