Part 2: Surrendering to Jesus
In this second part of our series, we’ll explore what it means to surrender your life to Jesus. As I continue to share my personal story, I’ll delve into the pivotal moment when I realized I needed to let go of control and fully trust in Christ. This act of surrender was a turning point in my journey to freedom, and I want to help you understand how surrender can lead to your own transformation and freedom in Christ.
The concept of surrender can be daunting. In a world that prizes independence and self-sufficiency, the idea of giving up control doesn’t come naturally to most of us. But in the Christian faith, surrendering to Jesus is not about weakness; it’s about finding true strength and freedom.
Although on January 13, 2020 the change was instant, however for me, surrender didn’t happen overnight. It was a process—a painful, yet necessary process. Living a double life, as I did for so many years, was exhausting. On the surface, I tried to appear like I had it all together, but inside, I was unraveling. The façade I’d built was crumbling, and I knew that something more had to change.
Surrender in the Christian context means letting go of our own will and desires and submitting to God’s plan for our lives. It’s about trusting that He knows what’s best for us, even when we can’t see it ourselves. Jesus calls us to this kind of surrender in Luke 9:23-24, where He says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
When I first read these verses, they didn’t make much sense to me. I had spent my whole life trying to save myself—trying to create a life that would make me happy, trying to find love and acceptance on my terms. But all of those efforts were futile. I was holding on so tightly to the things I thought I needed, but those very things were the chains that kept me bound.
Surrendering to Jesus isn’t just a one-time decision; it’s a daily choice. It’s about laying down our desires, our plans, and even our fears, and choosing to follow Him, no matter the cost. And yes, there is a cost.
For me, the cost was great. It meant confronting the lies I had been living, admitting my sins, and facing the reality that I couldn’t continue on the path I was on. It meant letting go of relationships and behaviors that were destructive, even though they had become a source of comfort and identity for me. It meant facing the unknown and trusting that Jesus had something better for me, even when I couldn’t see what that was.
But here’s the beautiful truth: the cost of discipleship is nothing compared to the freedom that comes with it. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we exchange our burdens for His peace, our fears for His love, and our sins for His grace.
On January 13, 2020, I reached a breaking point. The weight of my sin and the lies I was living had become unbearable. I knew I couldn’t go on the way I was, and in that moment, I cried out to God like I never had before. I asked Him to take control, to do whatever it took to set me free.
That prayer was the beginning of a transformation that I never thought possible. Surrendering to Jesus didn’t mean that all my problems instantly disappeared, but it did mean that I was no longer facing them alone. I began to experience a freedom I had never known—a freedom from the shame and guilt that had plagued me for so long, a freedom from the need to hide who I was, and a freedom to finally become who God created me to be.
As you reflect on your own life, I encourage you to think about the areas where you might be holding on too tightly. Are there things you’re afraid to let go of, even though you know they’re not leading you to the life God has for you? Are there sins or struggles that you’ve been trying to manage on your own, but that only seem to grow stronger?
Take some time to read Luke 9:23-24, Romans 12:1-2, and Galatians 2:20. Allow these scriptures to challenge you, to inspire you, and to lead you to a place of surrender. Remember, surrendering to Jesus isn’t about giving up; it’s about gaining everything that truly matters.
As I continue to share my story, I want you to know that surrendering to Jesus was the most difficult and most rewarding decision I ever made. It was a journey filled with ups and downs, but every step brought me closer to the freedom I so desperately needed.
In the next part of this series, we’ll talk about embracing the forgiveness and grace that Jesus offers. Surrender opens the door to these incredible gifts, and I can’t wait to share how they transformed my life.
Surrendering to Jesus is the key that unlocks the door to true freedom. It’s a step of faith, a leap into the unknown, but it’s also the beginning of a new and beautiful journey—one that will lead you to the life you were always meant to live.
All teachings are prayerfully written by Daniel Glasco, utilizing available resources to faithfully present biblical truth and discipleship encouragement.