“I Surrender Some” 

Dear Faith Family, 

Submit yourselves therefore to God, (James 4:7a). 

He studied and taught music.  He mastered 13 different instruments.  He sang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his church.  And, he eventually found himself wavering between the challenge of going into full time ministry and that of becoming a recognized artist. The struggle within him lasted for almost five years. 

Judson Wheeler Van de Venter (imagine being his mother and calling him down by his full name!) tells it like this: “For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all.”  (auntyfaith.com) 

And so, you may have guessed it, Judson wrote the song: “I Surrender Some”.  Everybody sing it with me.  Oh, wait.  No, that’s not right.  He wrote the song: “I Surrender All”.  There is a difference you know. 

This idea of complete surrender of self to God demands a sacrifice.  And….  That sacrifice is me.  It is interesting that we find surrender to be quite satisfactory in certain areas of our lives.  In other areas, the surrender seems to require a much greater sacrifice, one that we may not be so eager to present. 

A mother was driving to school one day, and her youngest child was standing in the seat beside her.  Realizing the danger, she said to him, "Sit down, dear, I may have to stop suddenly, and you'll be thrown against the windshield." 

"No!" the little boy refused. 

"Please sit down, dear, I don't want you to get hurt," the mother insisted. 

"No!" came the stubborn reply. 

Finally, she reached over and pulled him down.  He sat there sullenly for a moment, then said, "I may be sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside."  (crosswalk.com) 

Is there an internal struggle in your life today?  Is your personal, sovereign flag still flying over an area(s) of your life?  Is it time to raise the white flag of surrender?  Is it time to surrender your schedule?  Your money?  Your stuff? 

Surrendering, 
Pastor Karl