Freedom is an important element to our society in the United States. We demand freedom. It’s what our country was based upon. Sometimes we take freedom for granted. And sometimes we don’t realize the responsibility that comes with freedom.

We find great freedom in Christ. We read in 2 Corinthians 3:17 of the freedom we have because the Spirit of the Lord is with us. James 1:25 reminds us of the freedom we receive by looking intently into the perfect law and doing as it says.

However, part of my freedom in Christ comes to me because I’ve chosen to surrender.

Let’s consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:24-27 (NIV). “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.’”

So what does it mean to surrender? As a military term, it means to give up all rights to the conqueror. In light of Jesus’ words, it means to give Him control of every aspect of our lives. Our plans. Our will. Our minds. Our attitudes. All of it.

Paul adds to this idea in Romans 12:1 (NIV). “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

We can add our bodies to the above list.

How do we surrender? What steps do we need to take? What do we need to deny to find great life in Jesus?

I believe we find a good beginning in James 4. Let’s see what he has to say.

First, we must submit to God (James 4:7).

Then we must resist the evil one (James 4:7).

We must draw near to God (James 4:8).

Our hands and hearts must be purified (James 4:8).

We must repent when we allow our surrender to be temporary (James 4:9).

We must humble ourselves before our God (James 4:10).

And when we have surrendered it all to God, He will lift us up (James 4:10).

That’s surrender.

In Bob Goff’s book, Love Does, there is a chapter titled “Palms Up.” His idea for the chapter is found in this quote. “I used to think clinches fists would help me fight better, but now I know they make me weaker.”[i]

Maybe it’s time to unclench our fists, turn our palms up and surrender to God. In that moment you will experience the greatest freedom. Freedom in Christ.

I choose palms up!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna