Saturday, September 11, 2010

Spiritual Sunday "Surrender"

Charlotte and Ginger host these awesome Spiritual Sundays. To join in post and then add your name at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/



"At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance..." 
Maya Angelou

I've alway been a fighter. I learned to fight...to defend myself..to stay alive...pushing back against those who hurt me. I fought hard...never giving up...never giving in. I focused my enegry on staying one step ahead....always fighting for that elusive freedom. 

I learned, too,  to fight to get what I needed. Living on the streets....having little money....and few things....I learned to be quick...fast...and focused. I still have that fighter mentality....I feel it inside...that drive...that pull to hold on....to not let go at all costs....that fight that feels like life and death...

Surrender. That hasn't been in my vocabulary. Surrender - Give in. Give up. - Surrender - Letting go of fear....trusting. 

I've decided....I'm surrendering....to Him who took the brokeness in my heart....and freed me. The price? His life for mine. Surrender used to feel like defeat but now I know - surrendering to Him....is being a winner. 

All to Jesus I surrender...all to Him I freely give.....

35 comments:

Natasha in Oz said...

It sounds to me like you made the right choice to surrender your heart and mind and to have faith in God....it doesn't sound like defeat at all!

Blessings and best wishes,
Natasha.

Dolores Ayotte said...

Right on Nikki! Loved the picture and the video too! A perfect match to your message. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this song. I can remember a time recently when I was holding something back from the Lord. I did not want to think about it or deal with it.
Then I heard this song on the radio and my heart melted. I lifted up my hands, sang along and surrendered it to the Lord.

Karen said...

I listened to the words...really listened, and the Holy Spirit ministered to me. Thank you for this beautiful song. How blessed I am! In His presence to daily live. How can I not surrender to His love?

Wanda's Wings said...

When we surrender to Him is the only time we have real peace.

Joan Hall said...

Sarah - so true, we just need to surrender.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful Sarah. Thank you and have a blessed day.

Connie Arnold said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful post and video, Sarah. It's true, surrender to Him is being a winner. God bless you!

RCUBEs said...

Amen! It's only through the Lord that "throwing our towels" is never a defeat! What we gained is unimaginable! God bless you sister and keep you.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I knew when I first read the Angelou quote that this post would be good. My mom had the same fight for her life mind-set that you did, because she, also, had to fight to live. When she was an old lady, she was mugged, and she wouldn't give up her purse, so when she fell the mugger dragged her by the strap. This fighting was a necessity for both you and her to survive. But later comes the surrender part, only surrendering to someone who love us so much and is the only one who knows what is best for us. He does not want our wallet, but our heart. Hmmm....you've given me the idea for a blog post, yes, you inspire me!!

It's Just Dottie said...

Oh what a message. The song is just lovely and so healing. I am traveling down that road to healing. Thank you!
Dottie

Renee said...

I love this song and have not heard Michael Smith sing it...so glad I did today! Surrendering is hard for me too...I am a fighter myself...but when we surrender to God we are blessed!!!!! Thank you for such a powerful message..

Musings of A Minister said...

Great post, great subject, great video. Thanks for posting. I pray that things are going well with you.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hello Sarah, This is a beautiful song and yes, we all need to surrender...
None of us realy know the true life of another, the hurts, the battles within, or the trauma's felt, but everyone has their own story to tell. We all need to surrender to Jesus and allow Him to walk beside us. A Big hug for your loving humble heart. xxxx CML

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Sarah,
Love that song! A few of us are sharing about trusting and surrendering today. Isn't it cool how God seems to have a common thread running though Spiritual Sundays each week! Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

This post caught me when I have been contemplating a life decision. It stuck. He is holding my hand, sitting beside me & I've been too caught up to notice. "I'm sorry" is what I want to say to Him. He knows what is best for me. He has planned it. I surrender too.

Sarah, I love you!

Karen said...

Very well said..."surrendering to Him....is being a winner."

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Sarah,
Sometimes it is hard to surrender because I'm willful and hope all will turn out according to my plan...and I have had to learn that God's plans are the best for our lives...

Thank you so much for your prayers...they mean so much to me.
Love,
Cindy

Saleslady371 said...

You talk about surrender beautifully, Sarah.

Unknown said...

I love this song - to me, surrendering to God is second only to receiving Him in the first place. Daily surrendering has made all the difference in my life as well! And what a unique and lovely duet. It was new to me which made it even more special. Thank you for a delightful Spiritual Sunday!

Anonymous said...

Sarah, This is such a beautiful post. I love your heart for the Lord.

Susan said...

Yes, true freedom comes ONLY in complete surrender to Jesus and it takes most of us a VERY long time to give the struggle up.

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

It's a hard lesson to learn. I think we all have a natural instinct to self preserve, to hold a little bit of ourselves back so we have something "just of ourselves" to fight when the need arises. Realizing that it is ALL from him, even the bit we hold back, gives us the courage to let go and surrender.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Sometimes I think to myself am I TRULY surrender it ALL to him, or am I holding on to something. Thank-you for this powerful post and beautiful song my friend.
God Bless,
Ginger

Lisa notes... said...

Surrender is one of the hardest lessons to learn. It is so counterintuitive to our natural self. But praise God that he works in spite of ourselves, and that he showed us the way to the ultimate surrender so that we could follow in his footsteps. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

It isn't easy to surrender. It goes against human nature I believe. But oh what joy when we surrender to Him. We used to sing this song in church often though with a slightly different tune. The words are so good.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Anonymous said...

Loved that music. Never heard it sung that way before. It has me mesmerized. Thanks for the reminder... Peace to you this evening.
Jan

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

What a wonderful worship video. Very well done. Surrender, that's what it's all about. God bless, Bobbi

Michelle DeRusha said...

I have trouble with surrender, I do. I like control, and I hesitate to hand that over to anyone, even God himself. You inspire!

Brian Miller said...

excellent post sarah...we try so hard not to look weak, when that is all He has asked...though i find it takes even greater strength...

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,
This is definitely a process for me. I think everyday I trust and surrender more things to Him. I am becoming freer everyday. For me surrender to Him brings freedom. Getting there is hard, though. Something in me has to die.

Blessings,
Tammy

Praise and Coffee said...

Sarah, this is beautiful! My first time to your blog and I love it and your story!
You are a winner at Praise and Coffee!!!
http://praiseandcoffee.blogspot.com/2010/09/september-praise-and-coffee-giveaway.html
Email me your home address :)
Sue

Chatty Crone said...

I find surrendering hard some times. But I do know it is the only answer. sandie

Chatty Crone said...

Where is your follow button? sandie

Musings of A Minister said...

It brings joy to my heart to hear that there is a company considering publishing your book. I am also thrilled that you have speaking engagements. Keep it up. I won't bore you with stories about how scared I was to preach my first sermon. I was scared for 47 years. LOL