Surrendering - A Paradox

The prideful evade surrender for they reason without understanding.

Each of us learn at an early age there is shame and defeat in surrender. This is mostly derived from our exposure to the agony of losing in battle. This usually includes the  image of a white flag waiving as sullen and dejected soldiers stagger out onto the field of battle and fall to their knees weeping and afraid. This concept creeps into everyday life as an idea that winning and dominating are the only worthwhile goal and surrendering is not an option. These sociological ideas corrupt the deeply sacred act of surrendering your life to the Lord. When we surrender to God we are not giving up, we are handing over. We are admitting to God that our own way of thinking is inferior to His way. Yes, there was something happening similar to a 'battle of wills', but not really. God was never battling anyone. He established creation and His spiritual and natural laws long before we began walking earth. So really, there is no battle, it is simply an awakening to the immutable love and plan of God. At that moment our wicked existence is laid bare, exposed and raw. Exhausted, we then say to God, not my will but your will be done, and the paradox then appears. Reality overwhelms us and the act of surrendering suddenly becomes the foundation of victory. It is not a shameful experience at all, but a beautiful revelation of who God is, the Father standing with His arms open wide, welcoming us into his grace and mercy.