let us surrender to love

I loved the season of advent and Christmas this past year. I've loved learning about Mary and I think I’ve stumbled onto a deeper understanding of why. Mary surrendered to God, submitted herself to His will.

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

I find my heart drawn in the same direction, in this season of lent… leading to Jesus’ surrender for me (and you and everyone else...)

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)

On Ash Wednesday I realized one of the things I am learning is the posture of submission (surrender) and humility. There is something about kneeling and bowing that reiterates submission not just in my heart, but in my being... in my knees, my head, my neck and my hands… it’s not about doing or earning.

Submission: a willingness to yield or surrender to somebody, or the act of doing so
Surrender: an act of relinquishing control or possession to somebody or something

“Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live.” Rick Warren

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4).

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:6-7).

"The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us." A.W. Tozer

"The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become - because he made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be.... It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." C. S. Lewis

"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7).

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

"Lord, thou hast won, at length I yield;
My heart, by mighty grace compell'd,
Surrenders all to thee;
Against thy terrors long I strove,
But who can stand against thy love?
Love conquers even me."

Omnia vincit amor
love conquers all things
et nos cedamus amori. - Virgil
let us surrender to love.