Summoned: Stepping Up to Live and Lead With JesusSample

Surrender

Leaders in the Bible struggled with their specific callings as well as with one-time acts of obedience. Moses protested God’s call—even while he knelt barefoot as God spoke to him out of the burning bush. He didn’t want to confront Pharaoh. He told God he wasn’t a good speaker. Jonah ran from God’s call. He didn’t want to preach to the Ninevites. He knew that if they repented, God would forgive them, and he didn’t want that. He spent three days in the depths of misery before he said yes to God, and even then he continued to be angry with God (Jonah 4:1-2). Jeremiah didn’t want to be God’s spokesman. He told God he was too young to speak (Jeremiah 1:6). The rich young ruler didn’t want to sell his possessions and give to the poor (Matthew 19:22).

Surrender means that we give up control, that we deny self and relinquish things like needing to be in charge, needing to have all the answers in advance, needing to look good or to be famous. It means walking with God, often into the unknown. Trusting God to lead and provide. Trusting God to come through.