I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me Jesus, take me now.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to thee my blessed Savior,
I surrender all

-Judson W. Van DeVenter 1896


Psalm 111:10 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:…
This scripture is taking on a new meaning and reminds me that ultimately God is in control and my life is not about me as I would think it is. The sooner I arrive at this conclusion the sooner I will progress towards the plans and thoughts that God has for my life. Pressure falls on those who are in control, when I surrender control of my life to God completely I have also given God the pressure that comes with making the decisions. Many of us desire and seek control of our lives for many reasons. We assume that when we are in control we can determine the outcome and are not subject to the moves of external parties we seek control because it doesn’t stretch us outside of our comfort zone and because it doesn’t require faith and without faith it is possible to please God. I am not against being in control, except when our control replaces our faith in God. Ultimately we can minimize the power of God in our lives. We make decisions and ask God to validate the decisions we have made, when God clearly states, Isaiah 55:8-9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Let’s go a little deeper. Some of us learn scriptures and attempt to work the word. I’m totally in agreement with this philosophy, the word will truly work if you work it. With that said, many of attempt to reduce God to a science, when God can’t be contained or captured. Sometimes God will allow you to do it right and it come out wrong, (or what we perceive as wrong at the time) simply to remind us that He is in control. This has been my scripture in 2008: Psalm 127:1 KJV Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. After I do everything in my natural power to create positive results and success in my life, I still need God’s super on my natural to propel me to the supernatural life He desires for me.

God is in control. I believe He knows what is best to me, and my life is in your hands, and I will acquiesce to your will on any and every level. So now I pose the question is God manipulative? Did he love us (notice perhaps in another blog, how love takes you out of your comfort zone, to display agape love, God had to become something he abhors, sin which is outside of His divinity, to gain true love) to make us love Him in return. The fact is, He loved us to give us the choice of reciprocating His love. God’s love never negates our freewill and power to choose. This suggests that we should not attempt to control others through our kindness. Love independently because you want to and allow the other party to choose; this is the definition of true love. Should they choose not to love, don’t allow your love to become contaminated by manipulation because they can’t handle your pure love. Love comes with risk. God loves the world unconditionally, and daily many choose to reciprocate while others reject His love, yet God’s love remains the same.

Tonight I have a little less pressure, a little more freedom and confidence, although I am outside of my comfort zone, I am comfortable being in the center of God’s will. When I am out of control, God can be in control.