What Does It Mean to Be Fully Surrendered to God?

In a world that constantly demands more from us - more talent, more success, more achievement - there's a profound truth that can transform how we approach our relationship with God. While we cannot make ourselves more talented, we can always choose to become more surrendered.

The Power of Surrender Over Talent

D.L. Moody was a poorly educated shoe salesman who felt called to preach the gospel. During a prayer meeting with friends in the British Isles, someone shared these powerful words: "The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated." These words deeply moved Moody, and he realized that his effectiveness didn't depend on his eloquence, charisma, or intelligence, but on his surrendered life to Christ.

Moody couldn't make himself more talented, but he could choose to be more surrendered. As he yielded his life to God, he immediately began experiencing God using him in ways he never imagined. He became one of the greatest evangelists of modern times, with thousands upon thousands coming to faith through his ministry.

Abraham's Journey of Faith Without the Full Picture

God's Call to Leave Everything Behind

In Genesis 12, we encounter Abraham (then called Abram) receiving one of the most challenging calls in Scripture. God told him: "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."

This was an enormous act of faith. Abraham was being asked to:

• Leave his country of origin and everything familiar

• Go to a place he didn't know

• Listen to a voice contrary to his culture's religious practices

• Believe he would father a great nation despite his wife being infertile and himself being 75 years old

Why God Doesn't Give Us the Complete Picture

God presented Abraham with an initial offer that required significant sacrifice, but He didn't reveal the entire plan. This wasn't an oversight - it was intentional. When God gives us only part of the picture, it keeps us focused on our relationship with Him rather than on the mission itself.

If God had given Abraham the whole picture, Abraham would have focused on executing the plan rather than walking in daily dependence and communication with God. The partial revelation required Abraham to stay connected, listening, and trusting moment by moment.

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

The Journey to Canaan

Abraham, at 75 years old, chose faith and obedience, traveling 400 miles on foot from Haran to Canaan. During this journey, he made two significant stops: Shechem and Bethel. At both locations, Abraham built altars to worship God.

At Shechem, God spoke and ratified His covenant promise. At Bethel, there's no record of God speaking, yet Abraham built an altar anyway - demonstrating worship and relationship with God even without direct communication.

The Purpose Behind Step-by-Step Guidance

These stops reveal something crucial about how God works. He's far more interested in a present love relationship with us than in us simply accomplishing tasks for Him. God kept Abraham in a place of focusing on Him and walking by faith, only giving more details when it was time.

This pattern teaches us that obedience to God's voice is based on love relationship and intimate connection with Him, not just on doing religious activities.

Is God Working Through You or Are You Working for God?

Understanding the Difference

There's a crucial distinction we must grasp: Is your obedience you doing something for God, or is God doing something through your obedience? This completely changes how we approach serving God.

Abraham's story wasn't about him doing something for God through his striving. It was about God doing something through Abraham's surrender. When we understand this, it shifts our entire paradigm for serving God.

It's About God, Not About You

Serving God is not about you or even about your calling. It's about God. This means obedience will often offend your flesh, challenge your family dynamics, and contradict how you think the world should work - because it's not about you.

The Crisis of Belief

When God asks something of us, we face what's called a crisis of belief. We have an opportunity to act out of faith or fear, obedience or opposition. Abraham chose faith and obedience, and as a result, the course of history was changed.

Abraham didn't know that Jesus would come through his lineage. He couldn't have imagined the eternal significance of his obedience. But in the realm of eternity, his willingness to listen and obey was more important than anything he could have ever imagined.

Your Obedience Matters More Than You Know

Generational Impact

Your obedience and willingness to listen to the Lord is more important than anything you can imagine in the realm of eternity. Your obedience will:

• Change family dynamics

• Break generational patterns

• Be the reason someone comes to faith years from now

• Impact people you may never meet

God Uses Imperfect People

Abraham wasn't perfect - he made significant mistakes. But he was a man who repented and chose to walk as a servant even when he failed. Your past sins, current struggles, and personal weaknesses are not too big for God.

Moses had a stuttering problem, yet God used him to speak to the most powerful man on earth. God doesn't need your perfection; He wants your surrender.

Life Application

The challenge this week is to move from playing church to being fully surrendered. Take time to honestly evaluate: Are you just going through religious motions, or are you choosing to be completely available to God?

Make yourself more surrendered and available to God. You cannot make yourself more talented, younger, or wealthier, but you can make yourself more surrendered. Adopt the posture of a servant who follows step by step, remaining moldable, flexible, and adaptable on a day-to-day basis.

Consider these questions as you reflect on this message:

• In what areas of your life are you trying to work for God instead of allowing God to work through you?

• What would change if you truly believed that God is more interested in your relationship with Him than in what you can accomplish for Him?

• Where is God asking you to take a step of faith without having the complete picture?

• What would it look like for you to be fully surrendered and available to God this week?

Remember, God wants to use you not because of your talents or abilities, but because of your willingness to surrender and be available. Like Abraham, your obedience today may change the course of history in ways you'll never fully understand this side of eternity.