Waving the White Flag of Surrender

I look at surrender to God in 2 ways:  

1) It is the beautiful act of giving myself up to my loving Father; yielding fully to Him because I know His love, and His will, for me is perfect.  So, why would I not fully surrender to God and His Son Jesus?  

Or...

2) Surrender to God is more like the first definition you find for surrender on Google (or, if you are old school, in the dictionary): to surrender is to "cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority."  I think about that scene in An Officer and a Gentlemen when Richard Gere’s commanding offer (Louis Gossett Jr.) wants him to quit (he wants his D.O.R. - Drop On Request) but Gere refuses and says, “I Got Nowhere Else to Go!”.  I can really relate to this as often it seems that I continue to try to live my life my way.  I might even have good intentions (serve others, etc.) but I control what surrender looks like (yes, I know that is not really surrender).  In the end, it does not work and I realize that yielding to Jesus is the only way.  

However you might come to this place, the beautiful truth is a surrendered life is available to you.  It can be the point in time in your life when you decide to submit to God and follow Him wholeheartedly.  And I hope something you read here might encourage you on your journey.

A Real Man...

In Robert Lewis' book, "Raising a Modern Day Knight" (ministry link: http://www.rmdk.com/), he distinguishes between the first Adam (also the first man, who was passive) with Jesus (who Christians often refer to as the second Adam, who was bold).  This is my tweaked list from Lewis (I added a couple of things).  

A real man is one who...
1. Yields to God and His Word and is obedient to whatever God calls him to do, as part of the royal priesthood.  The royal priesthood belongs to and serves the King (Jesus) and exercises rule in the areas of authority that each member has.
2. Rejects passivity and acts boldly.
3. Accepts responsibility and accountability.
4. Leads courageously, while following Jesus.
5. Declares God's praise and reign.
6. Expects God's greater reward, always remaining hopeful.

For more on the passivity of man see "The Silence of Adam": https://www.amazon.com/Silence-Adam-Becoming-Courage-World/dp/0310219396

In light of a number of recent events (George Floyd's murder being the latest), what is my response?  The subtitle of "The Silence of Adam" says, “Becoming Men of Courage in a World of Chaos”.  So often my response is not courageous but rather non-existent.  I become passive - I lock up and just stuff my emotions - when faced with situations that seem overwhelming or hopeless - when it seems there is nothing I can do to help.  I posted earlier today on FB that "something HAS to change" but first I have to change and not lose hope that things can be different and I can be part of some positive change in this messed up world.