Surrender
I’ve played the song Surrender many times. From the time it was first released till just last week. I’ve played it with different musicians and possibly in at least 2 ldifferent languages. I’ve played it on multiple instruments, from acoustic to bass and electric, i’ve even been brave enough to use it to lead worship in a small group setting. I’ve heard it thrice as much as I’ve played it. I know the lyrics.
My perspective on the song, or at least the mental picture, was that of myself or the people at small group or church were to literally surrender - to let go, to relieve, to give up, to get rid off all the junk or to let go of pride and all other natural human tendencies. Last week I had to brush up on the song for Sunday worship and it was late at night - after my school work was done and my wife and kiddies were in deep sleep. I was playing it softly and trying not to sing too loud when I had a different perspective on the song. It was not of letting go, it was not me giving up, it was not me minus something but rather surrender is really acceptance. Surrendering to God is accepting his reign. Accepting his will and his guidance and his every direction to every step. His every command for every breath in and breath out. Surrendering in the sense of walking up to the cross and saying Here’s all my nasty stuff Lord is not really surrendering. Surrendering is taking on a higher rule.
One of the definitions of surrender is to accept defeat. Surrendering to God is not accepting defeat to sin because sin has been conquered. Surrendering to God is accepting His rule. When we surrender to God we are not waving a white flag in despair, though our situation might be that of despair but the act of surrendering is taking up His grace and yielding to His will.
Of course all the instances where I used, you, him, he, she etc all refer to me as this was my perspective or perhaps it was God. It was late! Of course getting rid of our junk is not belittled or worse yet completely to be ignored but rather have a fuller perspective on surrendering.