No doubt you can add to the list, but here are three thoughts.

First, it means that I yield control of my life. (Virtually) every morning for 30 years I’ve repetitively prayed “a full, total, complete surrender of my life to the Lordship of Jesus.” I am not my own Lord, and I don’t want to be. I’ve tried that, and I make a lousy Lord. I openly confess that I cannot manage my life. By surrendering, I say to Jesus that I do not have the final say, I am not in control, and I don’t want to be in control. I want Him to be in control.

Second, it means I want to be a servant (doulas). A servant isn’t seeking what he wants. Instead, he is asking, “What does the Master need?” When Jesus is my Lord, I am much better at seeing the world through His eyes.

Third, it means I yield control of “your” life too. You don’t have to do what I want you to do to win or keep my approval. Let’s face it. Christians trying to control the behavior of other Christians, especially spouses and children, is just about the biggest abuse of all.

It’s hard for certain personality types, like mine, not to want to be in control–and control others. But practice makes perfect. Daily repetition of surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus has long since helped me change my ways. Perfectly? Of course not. But it’s hard to imagine where I’d be if I was still trying to control events and other people.

It’s never to late to get started. There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Until every church disciples every man…

Patrick Morley, PhD
Executive Chairman, Man in the Mirror