In today's culture, surrender is often viewed as something negative; something to avoid.
It's a mark of weakness and lack of direction.
But what if our surrender was to something more - to Someone more.
In Exodus, God instructs Moses to create specific blends for anointing oils and incense to be used only by the high priest at the tabernacle. God commands that anyone else who replicates either of the aromas to the exact measure must be put to death.
There's no surrender in that. Ordained holiness and praise is all that's given to Moses and the Levites. The Mosaic covenant was an undeniable portrait of God's holiness, sovereignity and majesty. It's not warm and cuddly, it's pure, omnipotent deity.
But then, thousands of years later, a baby was born. A baby who needed a woman's body to grow and be nourished. Who wouldn't survive if he was neglected or wasn't fed, especially in those first few months. A baby who'd grow up into a toddler that would have to be carried by his parents until he could walk well enough. He wasn't socially set apart by wealth or status. He had to learn a trade.
But something shifted. He surrendered to his calling, and received infinte strength because of it. He started recruiting fishermen, and told them to love each other. And not just each other, but the people they hated and avoided. The people who ruled their country. Love them, and serve God. Then, he Himself surrendered. Becuase He loved the people who hated him, and who didn't understand who he was. He showed us that in surrender, there is life - true life.
And it's set apart. And holy. And different. And weird to those who don't actively seek out opportunities for surrender. It's warm and fuzzy and difficult and not always pretty, and it's waiting for you.