It feels like we have to surrender on a daily basis when we fall sick or live with chronic illness. We often have to release: our plans and social engagements, our previous strength, our hopes and dreams and our sense of what day or week it is. 😏
I’ve succumbed to flu and other viral illness over the last few weeks and it’s meant taking surrender to a whole new level: 🤒 surrendering my increased weakness, frailty and pain, an inability to read, engage or write as I want to, my desire to move forward with my life. Maybe you can relate?
However, times when we have to surrender, rest and quieten our souls are often the most productive spiritual moments for us to hear from God. I’m pleased to feel a bit stronger today and to have written the poem below for five-minute-friday.
Surrender
We think that surrender is revealed in decisive deeds, whereby we
give up our rights to things we have foolishly clung to, pass on
our stuff, our baggage and extraneous luggage that we can
well do without. But what if it was less about the trappings
of a too full existence? What if it looks more like giving up
our inner resistance, our unholy behaviour and passions?
Would we be any more willing to let God take control, even if
it means relinquishing our dreams and independence to a
higher power, a love that takes, breaks and makes so much
more out of our earthly lives than we could ever know?
It’s hard to answer in the affirmative when the cost feels
too high, too much for us. Because surrender is a kind of
dirty word, suggesting weakness and infirmity, linked
with corruption as well as an impossibly high kind
of asceticism, none of which seems very appealing
And then he directs our gaze toward his Son, the truly
Holy, spotless one who has done nothing wrong, and he
reminds us how the path to peace is without limit, through
surrendering just as Jesus has done, with a joyful outlook
willing heart and a yielded, submissive, trusting spirit
©joylenton
Friends, I hope and pray you’re all as well as possible. I’m delighted to be able to share my words with the #FMF writing crew, who are wrangling with the word ‘surrender’ this week. Come join us? Just click here to read the great posts being shared.
Words of Joy 
Dear Joy,
I am so thankful that God gave you strength to write today! What a beautiful poem, on a subject that is dear to my heart. I know that I have so often viewed surrender as that “dirty word” you spoke of. But yet, how can I continue to view it that way when I look at the precious and deep surrender that my Lord went through for me? And oh, how He has been working on my “inner resistance” this week! Thank you so much for opening your heart here my friend! I pray that your strength will continue to be renewed and restored! Much Love & Hugs! xoxo
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Dear Bettie, I had an inkling this might appeal to you! And you are definitely not alone in having “inner resistance” as well as a need to surrender to God. It’s always good to have words to write and share, although I developed a pounding headache after publishing this post and had to go and lie down in a darkened room for a while to try to get over it. My eyes are still not too keen on much screen time but I hope and pray their tolerance increases along with my strength. Much love and hugs to you, sweet friend! xoxo
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This is a great poem, Joy! Surrender is not easy and I definitely relate to the “inner resistance” at times, but keeping our eyes on Jesus and remembering his willing surrender for us definitely helps.
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Thanks, Lesley, I’m glad you like it! Yes, “keeping our eyes on Jesus and remembering his willing surrender for us” are key in helping us to yield with less resistance. Bless you, friend. x 😊
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“…a yielded, submissive, trusting spirit.” Yes, Joy. Well done.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2018/01/your-dying-spouse-441-last-lesson-fmf.html
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Andrew, it was easy to write those words but it’s far harder to live them out. At least I find it so! But I am incredibly inspired by the surrender I see in you, my friend. Your journey has been so tough but oh how powerfully God is working in your mind and heart! Sending abundant blessings, gentle hugs and prayers to you and your loved ones, canine and otherwise. 😊💜
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Oh yes, I know that inner struggle all too well. It’s so true that everything changes when ” he directs our gaze toward his Son”. When I was struggling recently, I read in God’s Word again of bringing things into the light and confessing our sins to our brothers and sisters. And it’s then, when I reached out to a sister in the Lord to confess my sin and ask for prayers to seek forgiveness from the person I’d hurt, that the heavy shame I’d been feeling lifted. I was filled with the courage to be obedient, but also with a deep compassion for the one I’d hurt. I then realized just how much I have been living in my own strength in my attempt to live a holy life – we just can’t do it alone – without Jesus and His Body of believers. And as I confessed my sin to this unbeliever you should have seen how touched she was by God’s love – she couldn’t believe someone would care about something “so little”. But our God does care, doesn’t He? His love is so much deeper than ours – only by His empowering grace can we live lives holy and pleasing unto God.
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Oh Anna, confessing our sins to others is such a tough thing to do, humbling and fraught with difficulty, but such a healing, freeing thing as well. It’s so heartening to hear how God used your surrendered obedience to bring forth His deep compassion in your soul! You’re right to say we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. That way is doomed to failure. When we abide closely in Christ and ask Holy Spirit to empower and guide our lives, we begin to experience victory over sin and receive a deep desire to live in a way that honours Him. Thank you so much for sharing some of your story. It’s an uplifting read. Blessings and love. xo 💜
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I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to write this inspiring poem, Joy. I pray for continued healing and strength. Blessing, my friend.
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Dear June, I am truly grateful for your prayers! My health remains fragile, with vestiges of viral illness clinging tenaciously, pulling me down each day. Therefore I tend to try to write with each small piece of energy and inspiration I receive. It’s what helps me feel alive on the inside and connected to the outside world, with lovely friends like you! Blessings, love and prayers for healing and strength to you, my friend. xo 💜
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