The Hierarchy of Leadership

Do you pray and seek God's plans for your business, for your day, for your life, or do you pray and ask Him to bless whatever it is you want to do—your plans, ideas, and ambitions?

In the journey of discipleship and leadership, the foundational choice that sets the tone for our entire walk with Christ is the decision to surrender our will to God. As disciples of Jesus, we must first surrender to His leadership before we can effectively lead others. It is through relinquishing control and submitting to the sovereignty of the One who holds our destiny that we find true power and freedom. This act of surrender is not only crucial for our personal spiritual growth but also for leading others with purpose and integrity.

Surrendering to God's Will

Surrendering to God is not a passive act; it is an active decision to trust in His wisdom and guidance above our own desires. As Jesus exemplified in the Garden of Gethsemane, true surrender involves submitting our will to the Father's, even when it conflicts with our own. Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42, NIV). This profound act of surrender paved the way for the salvation of humanity.

Trusting in God's Providence

When we surrender to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (NIV). Trusting in God's providence means releasing our grip on control and allowing Him to direct our steps.

Finding Freedom in Surrender

Paradoxically, surrendering to God brings freedom. In Matthew 16:25, Jesus declares, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (NIV). Surrendering our will to God liberates us from the burden of trying to orchestrate our own lives and opens us up to experience the abundant life that Jesus promises (John 10:10).

Surrendering Daily

Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice. Romans 12:1 urges us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (NIV). Each day, we must choose to lay down our ambitions, desires, and plans at the feet of Jesus, allowing His will to reign supreme in our lives.

Conclusion

Embracing surrender is not easy, but it is essential for anyone who desires to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. As we yield our will to God's, we discover a profound sense of purpose, peace, and fulfillment that can only come from walking in obedience to His lordship. May we echo the words of the psalmist in Psalm 143:10, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (NIV), as we surrender ourselves wholeheartedly to the One who holds our destiny in His hands.

In the journey of discipleship, may surrender be our guiding principle, and may the Lordship of Christ be our ultimate aim.

Reflection Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to surrender your will to God. What were the circumstances, and how did you ultimately resolve the conflict between your desires and God's will?
2. Consider the concept of trust in God's providence. How does leaning on your own understanding hinder your ability to trust God fully? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in His guidance and sovereignty?
3. In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to surrender control to God? Why do you think this is the case, and what steps can you take to surrender those areas to Him more completely?
4. Think about the relationship between surrender and freedom as discussed in the chapter. Have you experienced the paradoxical freedom that comes from surrendering to God? If so, describe how this freedom has impacted your life.
5. How can you make surrender a daily practice in your life? What practical steps can you take to continually offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God?

Life Applications

1. Daily Surrender Prayer: Start each day with a prayer of surrender, committing your plans, desires, and agenda to God's will. Allow this prayer to set the tone for your day and guide your decisions.
2. Identify Areas of Control: Reflect on areas of your life where you tend to hold onto control instead of surrendering to God. This could be relationships, career aspirations, financial security, or personal goals. Acknowledge these areas and intentionally release them into God's hands.
3. Scripture Meditation: Choose key verses on surrender, such as Luke 22:42, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Romans 12:1, and meditate on them regularly. Allow God's Word to permeate your heart and transform your mindset, reminding you of the importance of surrender in your walk with Him.
4. Practice Trusting God: Take intentional steps to trust in God's providence and sovereignty. When faced with challenging circumstances or decisions, consciously choose to trust that God is in control and has a perfect plan for your life.
5. Letting Go of Expectations: Release expectations and outcomes to God, understanding that His plans may differ from your own. Embrace flexibility and openness to God's leading, knowing that His ways are higher than yours.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

In the name of Jesus, I come before You with a heart surrendered to Your will. Lord, I acknowledge that surrendering to You is the foundation of true discipleship. Help me, O God, to embrace surrender in every aspect of my life.

Father, I surrender my desires, my plans, and my ambitions to You. May Your will be done in my life, just as it is in heaven. Give me the strength to release control and trust in Your perfect plan for me.

Lord, help me to trust in Your providence and sovereignty, knowing that You hold my future in Your hands. Grant me the grace to lean not on my own understanding but to acknowledge You in all my ways.

Jesus, You exemplified surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane when You prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Teach me to follow Your example, even when surrendering is difficult.

Holy Spirit, empower me to surrender daily, offering myself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Lead me on the path of surrender, that I may experience the freedom that comes from yielding to Your lordship.

Thank You, Lord, for the promise of abundant life found in surrendering to You. May my life be a reflection of Your glory as I walk in obedience and surrender to Your will.

In Jesus' name, amen.

By embracing surrender, we align our lives with the ultimate purpose God has for us, unlocking a deeper level of discipleship and experiencing the true freedom and fulfillment that comes from walking in His will. May this principle guide us daily in our journey with Christ.