Lent Teaches Us Surrender

I like to be in control of my life. I feel most comfortable when I can make plans that unfold exactly how I want them to.  

As you might imagine, this often results in a great deal of angst because my plans seldom turn out how I imagined they would.  Something unexpected always occurs to throw a wrench into the works. 

You may resonate with this (I imagine we all do to some extent). Truthfully, I've been learning more about what it means to surrender my desire for control lately—much more than I want to. 

This season of Lent has been a primer on letting go of control and learning what it means to surrender.  I'm starting to figure a few things out.  

As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, we are invited to reflect upon the profound and transformative act of surrendering ourselves to Divine purposes. 

This time of introspection reminds us that faith isn’t a passive acceptance of life’s circumstances but an active, trusting engagement with the flow of our spiritual journey. 

Alan Watts poignantly states: 

“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax, and float.” 

This beautiful metaphor emphasizes the importance of embracing surrender—not as a sign of weakness but as an authentic expression of trust in the divine plan unfolding in our lives.

In Scripture, we find a parallel to this theme in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” 

These verses remind us that our understanding is limited, and when we release our grasp on control, we open ourselves to God's guidance and wisdom. Just as swimmers immerse themselves in water, we, too, must immerse ourselves in faith, allowing the current of God’s grace to guide us through life's tumultuous seas.

Lent is a sacred invitation to practice this art of surrender. 

We can begin by engaging in daily prayer, asking God for the strength to let go of our worries, and trusting God's purposes. We can also consider practicing mindfulness, taking moments to pause and breathe deeply, and reminding ourselves to relax in God's presence rather than fighting against our circumstances. 

Additionally, we might embark on acts of service, offering our time and talents to others. This can be a powerful way to surrender our personal desires for the greater good and align ourselves with God's calling.

As we embrace this season of Lent, let us cultivate a spirit of surrender, knowing that as we trust in the Divine, we are not relinquishing control but rather receiving new strength and purpose. 

In moments of uncertainty, may we remember to relax and float in our Creator's boundless love and wisdom. Surrender is not giving up; it's the brave choice to let God lead the way.