”My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.” Proverbs 23.26.


What does it mean to surrender to God? In a world full of distractions, anything can become an idol. There’s a fine line between needing something and depending on something so much it becomes our god. I think there are many aspects to surrendering to God, but first we must literally surrender to Him and let Him take over. What follows is then just a result of that. It’s a matter of recognising our own weakness in comparison to His strength, and letting Him lead us. Which then means acknowledging that we can’t depend on anything else. We need air to breath, but we depend on God to provide. We need food to eat, but we depend on God to provide. We need people around us, but we depend on God to provide.

When I first came to understand this, I was very stubborn. It was difficult to depend on Someone I couldn’t see, had never heard speak audibly, a presence I had never felt. I wanted to believe, but there was always a little voice inside that niggled and nagged, and got me thinking about why I shouldn’t rely on this. But as time goes by, I can add little chunks of ‘life’ to my treasures; safely guarded lessons that have helped me understand that God works through patience and in time. Because I have persevered, I have experienced the joy that comes with surrendering. It’s hard to give something up totally in the first instance, but after a while the benefits become apparent. It may not become easier to surrender all to God – indeed, I doubt very much that I have surrendered EVERYTHING to Him – but it certainly becomes clear how much value is added to our lives because of it. In fact, it’s more a matter of adding value to our souls, not our lives. All because the jewels of a relationship start shining through those dark clouds of doubt and fear.
God may not be like us humans – we certainly can’t hear Him (at least, not all the time), feel Him, touch Him, see Him. But He’s real, and we can only touch on His power and love and perfection when we look around and realise that He created everything. And as we accept that there is a powerful Being who created us, our bodies and our souls out of nothing, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139.14), He can truly change our hearts and renew our minds (Romans 12.2). And I can say that with an honest heart, because I feel physical joy when I think of the love He lavishes on us, when I realise how blessed I am, and as I learn more about who He is and what He’s done.

There’s a saying that goes ‘God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called’ – how true! No knowledge or training can be imparted in an instance (Ephesians 4.11 – 13). Rather, it takes time. Equally, we cannot expect to be perfect in God’s eyes straight after surrendering all to Him. It is true, Jesus’ made us perfect in God’s eyes through His sacrifice (Hebrews 10.14), but it’s still important for us to act according to God’s will, and to become more like Him – holy and pure (Matthew 5.48).
Letting go of everything in our lives is a learning process. God knows us, He knows our hearts, our habits and who we think we are. So it’s an easy job for Him to lead us in the right direction – if God can do anything, He won’t be unsuccessful in saving us, we just have to be willing to let Him do so.
So, surrendering to God is giving up everything; giving up a love for anything materialistic, giving up a devotion that is spent entirely on people perhaps even giving up our hopes, dreams and desires. Because, the truth is, our lives are a glimpse; “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40.8), and there is nothing else worth living for other than God Himself, Creator of everything.
It sounds simpler than it is, so I’ll leave you with these Bible verses to contemplate, ponder, wonder:


"Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you." Deuteronomy 3.22

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still" Exodus 14.14

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in front of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might forever. Amen." 1 Timothy 6.6-16

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10.4

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15.12

"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12.25

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12.2

"Yet You, Lord, are our Father, We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64.8

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12.1-2