Surrender: A Daily Commitment

Surrender is a theme that runs all through the Bible, and one of my favorite stories of it is the transformation of Paul — once known as Saul — from a persecutor of Christians to a follower of Jesus. Acts 9:1-22 tells the story of the encounter that literally brought him to his knees.

Surrender - A Daily Struggle:

Surrender is such an easy word to say. It sounds spiritual but actually living it? That’s where it gets hard.

In my faith, surrender isn’t usually one big moment. It’s the daily laying down of my plans, my pride, my comfort, my control. I don’t naturally wake up wanting to hand those things over.

We’re not alone in that struggle. The author of the author of the hymn, "Come Thou Fount," Robert Robinson, found himself wrestling with surrender throughout his life.  

Robinson’s story didn’t start easy. He lost his father at eight and had to apprentice as a barber to help provide for his family. As a teenager, he attended a church service planning to mock the preacher — but the message changed his life instead. At 22 years old, in 1758, he wrote the hymn that we still sing today.

The Struggle to Stay Grounded:

One line from that hymn always gets my attention:

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.”

Feel it. Not “used to.” Not “used to before I matured.”

Feel it.

Much like Robinson, who faced ongoing struggles in his life, we can also feel ourselves drifting — pulled by old habits, busy schedules, distractions, or just plain routine. Spiritual passion doesn’t disappear overnight. It slowly fades when we’re not paying attention.

One of my own wanderings happened during the pandemic. When church moved online, it was a gift at first because I'm an introvert. But over time, it became comfortable. Too comfortable. Pajamas. Couch. Convenience. And even after in-person services resumed, it was easy to stay in that habit.

Not rebellion. Just comfort.

And comfort can quietly lead to wandering.

Staying Connected in the Middle Distractions:

To combat this tendency to wander, we need intentional efforts to stay connected to Jesus:

• Reading the Bible: Get into the Bible daily to rejuvenate our spiritual journey.

• Praying: Establish a routine of prayer – sit silently, write down our thoughts, play Christian music, and talk honestly with God.

• Community: Surround ourselves with other Christians for support and encouragement.

• Honest Self-Reflection: Acknowledge and confront our habits honestly, paving the way for transformation.

Surrender isn’t a one-time decision. It’s something we return to again and again, choosing to stay close to Jesus when life pulls us in other directions.

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