Totally Surrendered?

What does it mean to be totally surrendered to God?  I know I’m not the only person who’s ever wrestled with this. Still, every time we sing a worship song in church with lyrics to this affect, I always ask myself, “Am I totally surrendered to God?”  I’m raising my hands in praise to God but I’m still asking God just what does a totally surrendered life look like.

Perhaps my image of being totally surrendered is too monk-like. You know, a really surrendered life is cloistered away in isolation with nothing on the “to-do” list but pray, read Scripture, and maybe chant.  While this might be fun for a day or two, I don’t think it is a definition of being totally surrendered to God.  In fact, we see Jesus in what’s known as the Great Commission sending His disciples out into the world (see Matthew 28:18-20).  Notice He isn’t sending them away from the world.

So being totally surrendered involves some, well, involvement.  A totally surrendered person is not holed up somewhere, isolated away from the world.  Rather, he is a participant in the world; he is actively engaged in the turbulent sea of humanity.  So then an aspect of a surrendered life is one that, while engaged in human activity and interaction, still reflects Christ.  A surrendered life has evidence of the Holy Spirit being active in it (see Galatians 5:22-23).  Such a life will be continually reflecting joy, peace, and love.  What’s more, this life will also reflect integrity by speaking and living truthfully (see Ephesians 4:15 and 1 John 3:18). 

Another major ingredient in a surrendered life is obedience—obedience to God and His commandments (see 1 John 5:1-5).  If we profess being a Christ-follower and yet disobey God by lying or cheating or speaking evil of someone, then we know we are not totally surrendered, or worse.    

Recognizing that this obviously isn’t an exhaustive list, it at least has some check points:

1. Are we somehow actively engaged in humanity?
2. Are we reflecting evidence of the Holy Spirit being active in our lives?
3. Are we living with integrity?
4. Are we obedient to God?

As we compare our lives to this list, we must remember that our God is a gracious God and does not expect perfection, He does, however, expect faithfulness (see Hebrews 11:6 and James 1:6).