A Mindset Switch About… The Security of Surrender
Have you noticed that you act differently around different people? More specifically, have you noticed that when you’re around your parents (or any parental figures), you revert back to some of your childlike tendencies? Maybe you don’t… Maybe that’s just me. Let me explain.
I turned 40 in July, so I’m a full-fledged adult, I suppose. It’s been a couple decades now that I’ve lived on my own, and do okay at it. I know how to set my own schedule, take care of my own basic needs, follow a budget, and all those grown-up things. 🙂
But when my entire family gathers together—parents, siblings and youngins of the next generation—things change a bit. One of these changes, I’ve noticed, is that my role as a daughter comes back into the forefront. I almost ‘lose’ a bit of my autonomy, if that makes sense. Instead of operating as an independent adult, I fall back into letting my mom or dad lead the way. And although it can feel awkward giving up some of that control I’m now accustomed to as a 40-year-old, more often than not, the positives outweigh the negatives. For example, my mom usually plans meals, sometimes cooks meals (and she’s a fabulous cook!), comes up with fun little activities for the family to enjoy, has a devotion or Bible reading ready and so much more. My dad, on the other hand, foots the bill more often than anybody else. Whether it’s for a meal, an Airbnb or event tickets, he honestly loves being able to treat his family. He also takes charge if there are car troubles, any extra errands that need to be run, outdoor (or indoor) handiwork needs, and the list goes on.
When my parents are physically present to kinda step back into their roles as parents (although, of course, parents are always parents, even if they live hundreds of miles away), then I find myself luxuriously relaxing back into my role as a daughter. It’s almost as if I can exhale, relax and just allow myself to be taken care of for that time period—just like I used to when I lived under their roof as a child.
Over this past summer, we took a big family trip to Boston for a few days. One afternoon as I was bringing up the rear while we walked from one place to another, I found myself thinking about what it means to be a daughter of God. In Boston, I was noticeably taking on a different mindset and posture compared to the mindset and posture I have when I’m operating as my own independent adult. My parents were there, and they love taking care of me! And I was happy and grateful to let them do that. How often do I consciously let God, my Heavenly Father, take care of me? Am I happy and grateful to surrender my notion of autonomy and control to Him? Do I ever close my eyes, exhale and release myself into His perfect care?
When I’m gathered together with my earthly family, I literally make a conscious mental shift from autonomous adult to submissive, go-with-the-flow daughter. Many “perks” come with this shift, but difficulties arise, as well. The exact same is true when it comes to life as a child of God. God, our Father, wants us to always be in “child-mode.” He desires our obedient and grateful submission to Him as our authority figure, and this often requires a conscious mental shift. It’s easy to fall into I-have-everything-under-control mode. But as children of God, we can shift gears into I-can-live-submitted-to-Christ mode. And just the same, both “perks” and difficulties arise.
Difficulties? It’s not easy letting someone else take the reins of your life. Surrendering control can feel scary and even reckless.
But the perks? By consciously choosing to live in daughter-or-son mode, you are choosing to let the same God who created the entire universe lead your life. You are inviting the God who promises to be with you, to love you unconditionally, to protect you, to comfort you, to guide you, and so much more—Him! You’re inviting that God to be in control!
If it’s been a while since you stopped to really think about what it means to purposefully let God be your Father, or if you maybe never have, here are some wonderful reminders:
As Father, God is literally THE ONE!! …in every way you can imagine. One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. -Ephesians 4:6
He loves you unconditionally. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! -1 John 3:1a
He is an unchanging, perfect provider. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17
He cares for you completely. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? -Matthew 6:26
He sacrificed His only Son for your eternal destiny. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16
Flip to the concordance in your Bible (or an internet search bar), and find a list of verses with the word “Father” in them. See what else you can learn about God, your perfect and eternal Father. Then? Make the choice to actually let Him BE your Father. It is safe to surrender to God. Rest in His tender care, and relish being His beautiful child.