SURRENDER – How do we practice Surrender – Following Jesus From the Edges.

Following Jesus From the Edges

THOUGHTS ON THE PRACTICE OF SURRENDER

Pastor Calvin Cook

April 30, 2026

Following Jesus—especially in the world we live in, the temptations, the distractions, the feeling of loneliness is so very hard. There I said it out loud and publicly. Maybe it is something you have been wanting to say or express but were afraid of what others might think if you claim Christ but yet have all of these struggles, more than I mentioned earlier.

Let’s be honest… staying consistent, remaining faithful, and trusting in God’s grace can feel overwhelming when we are carrying so much. Responsibilities. Expectations. Hurt. Unanswered prayers. The quiet weight of trying to do the right thing. It is almost like standing on one leg trying to balance everything you are carrying while all around you is sinking sand and seems so uncertain.

Some days, it feels like we’re holding it all together and not well by sheer effort and adrenaline. At the end of the day we collapse, mentally, physically, emotionally and sometimes spiritually and soulfully.

That is exactly why the practice of surrender is not optional—it is necessary.

Surrender is not weakness. It is not giving up. It is not losing control. It is not ignoring responsibility or thinking things will fix itself. It is placing everything we are holding…into the hands of the One who is holding us. And then following the leading of the Holy Spirit in dealing with life and the situation. It would be what we refer to as being one with God. Who can truly say they are in that place, being one with God.

One of the scriptures written on my heart and in my mind is Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Notice—He doesn’t say figure it out.

He doesn’t say try harder.

He simply says… come.

When I think about surrender, I find myself drawn to the disciples in that space between the resurrection and Pentecost. It was an in-between season. Jesus had risen. Hope was alive. But understanding? Direction? Strength? That was still unfolding and it is still unfolding in our lives today. Come on I’m trying to be honest. It is time we are all honest with ourselves.  

In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus tells them to wait. Wait in Jerusalem. Wait for the promise. Wait for power.

Can you imagine that? They had walked with Jesus. Watched Him die. Seeing Him alive again. And now… they are told to wait. No plan. No timeline. Just surrender.

Then in Acts 1:14, we are given a glimpse of what surrender looked like for them: “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” That was their posture. Not striving. Not scattering. Not trying to force the next step. They surrendered. They gathered together in prayer.

I wonder if that is what we are resisting. Waiting with Jesus. Being in a holy fellowship with others going through the same things. Being a space together of prayer. Maybe surrendering to God’s will. Maybe just listening.

We want answers now. Movement now. Breakthrough now. But this is the time to gather up with someone and pray –

More on surrender tomorrow – In the meantime can we be in prayer alone or with someone and be open to hearing the Holy Spirit speak.