Committed or Surrendered?

Commitment carries the idea that you are choosing to remain. Whether it be in a relationship, a contract, a diet, a belief system (the list goes on)~ you are making the choice to actively remain a part of that commitment. Now, it may not always be easy to remain committed to something because of our own attitude or because of challenges brought by others around us, but you can still choose to remain or to walk away.

Here is Webster's definition of committed: to give trust/charge to, to pledge oneself, to entrust for safekeeping

Now, the idea of surrendered carries a much stronger sense that you are not the one in control, because you have willingly given up that right. The original commitment you made has deepened to a level of fully entrusting oneself to another. You actively make the choice to give up your right to choose what you want to with your own life. You have surrendered yourself, which goes beyond just a commitment.

Here is Webster's definition of surrendered: to yield oneself to the power or control of, to give up one's control completely

When looking at these two areas of thought, you would more than likely think that being committed is better than being surrendered, because you do not lose your ability to make choices for yourself. True, if what you are being surrendered to is unhealthy or dangerous. Not true if you have surrendered to something that is only beneficial for you.

So, this leads me to ask: Am I committed or surrendered to God?

Philippians 2:5-8 says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who... emptied Himself...taking on the form of a bond-servant... humbled himself....was obedient."

Christ Himself was the perfect example of one fully surrendered. He was here to do the work of His Father, and I am sure that just by looking at what He endured here on earth, this was not always easy. There is choice involved in being surrendered, because you must continually offer yourself a sacrifice to His purposes, but when the idea of living fully surrendered has taken strong root in your thinking, the following through of this idea becomes more a part of who we are and not just what we do.

Philippians 2:13-14 goes on to say, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or complaining."

Why?

Philippians 2:15 "to prove yourselves blameless...innocent...children of God,...above reproach... a light in the world."

Choosing to be surrendered to God is choosing to be a servant for Him. To serve is to be selfless. We cannot be ready to be used "for His good pleasure" if "I" am in the way. The gentleness that I feel is required for me to the kind of wife, mother, friend, daughter and woman of God does not happen in and of myself. I do not possess the kind of diligence needed to love unconditionally, guide, rear, train, come alongside, counsel and help-meet. I must be intentional in being surrendered in order to walk in such a way in Christ. Just one small glimpse of me on my own, apart from Christ, is proof enough that it cannot be done. I cannot just be committed to doing it God's way, I must be surrendered to Him, so He can will in me the way He has already established.