by Rick Warren
Though he was God, did not demand and cling to his
rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise
of a slave and becoming like men.” (Philippians 2:6-7 LB)
Everybody surrenders to something or
someone in life. If not to God, you’ll surrender to popular opinion, money,
resentment, or fear, to your own pride, lust, and ego.
We were designed to worship
something, and when we fail to worship God, we create gods (idols) to which we
surrender ourselves. E. Stanley Jones said, "If you don't surrender to
Christ, you surrender to chaos." You’re free to choose what you surrender
to, but you’re not free from the consequences of that choice: “So give
yourselves completely to God” (James 4:7a NCV).
Surrender is not the best way to
live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works. All other approaches lead
to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction.