[I am blessed (again) to welcome a group of friends to gather around my table once a month so we can wrestle out GOD’s truth together.  We are working through Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth’s book and accompanying study guide, “SURRENDER: the Heart GOD Controls” (Moody Publishers, 2003, 2005).

I pray this series of monthly reflections from our conversations will be a blessing and encouragement that reaches far beyond our kitchen table.]

2025 SURRENDER SERIES (no.6)

Living the Surrendered Life: Making It Practical

We are back from summer break!  As the garden wains, daylight hours shorten, and our world quietly drifts into the golden glow of autumn, it catches me by surprise that another year has reached its final quarter.  I am grateful for the deeply thought-provoking questions in our lesson this month that prompted serious heart and life reflection

In chapter 6, Nancy Wolgemuth refers to a long-beloved hymn, Take My Life And Let It Be Consecrated LORD to Thee, written by Frances Havergal in 1874, asking us to evaluate our level of surrender in several areas of our lives.

For me, personally, it was good to take my time with each section, prayer journaling about a few questions per day over the weeks of our summer break.  Now that our study group has reconvened, it was wonderful to hear how others responded to Nancy’s thoughtful questions.  I will do my best to capture Nancy’s thoughts and the heart of our individual responses below.

GETTING STARTED (p 189):

“It’s one thing to have an emotional experience… to be inspired and challenged to surrender control of everything to GOD.  It’s another matter to live out that surrender once the moment has passed – when you step into real life the next day … when you lose your job and the bills keep coming … when your mate is diagnosed with a terminal illness …” 

How did we describe these two different scenarios as we reflected on our own experience?

We agreed that it is sometimes easier to reach a place of surrender when a major life event jolts us into a rare moment of clarity about our own limitations: watching your loved one’s health fail in front of your eyes, the devastation of losing your job and the security of steady income, receiving the unsettling news that you suddenly need to move, scrambling to find a new place to live, and for me, personally, walking away from our son in a foreign country, not knowing what he would encounter in the months that followed or how he would navigate those joys and challenges without us.  These were moments when we knew without question that circumstances were out of our own control.  

When we are indisputably helpless, it is easier to readily and eagerly acknowledge He is GOD and we are not. Sovereign GOD is in control and He is trustworthy. We would not want to leave any of these concerns in the hands of anyone else!  We freefall into His perfect will, finding great comfort and reassurance that there is no better place to be than right in the middle of His plan, no matter how heart-wrenching it feels in a given moment.

It is much harder to identify our stubborn independence when nothing specific seems to be “on the line,” when life is humming along, day into day, into weeks, into months, into years.  When it feels like there are choices we are free to make, responsibilities that fall on our own shoulders, gifts we are given to embrace and enjoy.  Should we grab ahold with confidence wherever and however He has placed us (operating with freedom and creativity) or should we pause at every turn to ask for His specific direction … or both?  We were grateful for the questions in this lesson to help us find some answers.

1. LIFE: Take my life and let it be consecrated, LORD, to Thee (p 126)

“Have I made a volitional, unconditional, life-time surrender of my life to CHRIST? … Am I seeking to live out that surrender on a daily basis? … Are there any compartments of my life over which I am reserving the right to control?”

That last question really spoke to all of us.  As invested moms, we desire control when it comes to what we feel is best for our kids.  We want to take ownership of nurturing, directing, and ordering our kids’ days.  But we also recognize there is much about our kids’ experiences that are out of our hands.  We inevitably land in a place of relying on the LORD for protection and provision.

None of us spoke of a definite moment when we specifically or categorically surrendered the whole of our lives to the LORD.  We agree in concept to His call to do so, but struggle to understand what that fully means.  What would it look like to have singular focus every single day, to give each moment to Him?  Why do we fear handing over complete control to the only One who is completely trustworthy?

LORD, work in our hearts and thoughts as we continue through this study, to shine a light on any areas we are wrestling to control.

2. TIME: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise (pp 126-127)

“Do I live with the conscious realization that all my time belongs to GOD?  … Am I living each day in the light of eternity? … Do I seek His direction as to how I should use my time?  … Do I become resentful or impatient when others interrupt my schedule or when I am faced with unplanned demands on my time?”

It is not surprising that our conversation turned to the danger of spending too much time scrolling on our phones.  Modern technology and a plethora of apps and sites provide helpful and interesting information.  But endless choices can be addicting and overwhelming.  Distracted by all that grabs our attention, we can lose track of time.  We concluded that it is wise to set timers when perusing online information!

We also began a conversation that continued later in our lesson – about our minds.  What is filling our thoughts?  Are those “interesting” avenues ones that feed our souls?  Or do they send us down pointless rabbit trails?

It was refreshing to remind ourselves that one small practice can lead us to a more GOD-honoring mindset.  Writer and speaker, Jackie Hill Perry, mentioned this in the dedication of her 60-day devotional book, Upon Waking, giving credit to those in her life who have always encouraged her to “give GOD her first HELLO.”  How precious to acknowledge, at the very start of each day, that the time in front us belongs to Him first, to ask Him how to spend those hours, and to lay our heads on our pillows each night, thanking Him for His help, provision, and direction.

3. BODY: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love; take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee (pp 128-129)

 “Am I yielding my body to GOD as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13)?  … Do I use my body to express the kindness and love of CHRIST to others?  … Do I treat my body as if it is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)?”

There are several directions this part of our discussion could have taken.  The health or shape or societal expectations of our physical form could easily have captivated our focus.  Instead, it was deeply touching to hear how many of us were more concerned about using our bodily energy to serve the LORD and help others.  We encouraged each other to trust Him to provide strength and endurance, especially when we already feel physically spent.

It was also good to tie this train of thought to the previous set of questions about our time.  Do we view those hours as “ours” or “His”?  Are we weary because we are trying to accomplish our own agenda in addition to His?  Could our bodily exhaustion be evidence of His grace?  Could He use our exhaustion to get our attention, to ask us what we are working to accomplish (and why), whether we are truly following His prompting to our hearts or expecting of ourselves things He never asked us to do?

We felt certain whatever the LORD asks us to do, He will provide what we need to complete the task.

4. TONGUE: Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee (pp 129-130)

 “Do I regularly ask the LORD to guard my tongue? … Before I speak, do I ask the LORD what He wants me to say?  … Am I filling my mind and heart with the Word of GOD so that what comes out of my mouth will be “messages from Him”? … Do I speak words that are critical, unkind, untrue, self-centered, rude, or unnecessary?”

The third question above really grabbed our attention.  We all have stories of occasions when we’ve been tired or pressed and words came flying out of our mouths we later wished we could retrieve.  How can we guard against this common occurrence?

It was good to remind each other that filling our minds with the right things is crucial.  What we read, what we listen to, what we allow our thoughts to swirl about, whom we choose to keep company with, what we watch on TV or video – – all of these avenues can flood our minds with a million thoughts in different directions.  How much of that input accurately represents GOD’s heart?  What content feeds a hunger in us to know Him better or to grow in closer relationship to Him?

If we consciously choose to saturate our world with GOD’s Word, His truth, sensitivity to His Spirit, and company with His people, there is a much greater chance that when pressed or tired, what will spill out will be an overflow of the fruit of His Spirit at work in our hearts, evidence that we have spent time with Him and have been impacted by His Presence.

Several scriptures remind us that when we need the right words to speak, we can ask the LORD to grant them, and He will guide our speech:  

The Sovereign LORD has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.  Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.  (Isaiah 50:4, NLT)

Don’t worry about how to respond or what to say.  GOD Will give you the right words at the right time.  (Matthew 10:19, NLT)

5. POSSESSIONS: Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold (pp 130-131)

 “Do I treat my possession as if they are mine rather than GOD’s? … Do I give generously, sacrificially, and gladly? … Do I own anything that I would not be willing to part with? … Am I content with the material possessions GOD has given me? … Do I become angry or upset if others are careless with “my” possessions?”

One of our study friends shared vulnerably about her childhood:

“As one of 11 kids being raised in a 3-bedroom house, “mine” was precious.  There were few material things we could call our own.  We didn’t even have bed pillows, so one of my very first purchases with hard earned money from my first paying job was a pillow.   Now, as an adult, I have a hard time letting go of belongings, especially when particular items hold special memories.  The LORD has used devastating circumstances like a roof leak or a flooded basement to help me understand that those boxes of belongings are just “stuff.”  I will not take a U-Haul to my grave, so it is truly freeing to release my grasp on “things” and to understand more fully that nothing of eternal value exists in the “stuff” I tend to cling to.”

Another study friend added:

“When I am honest, our house has never been exactly what I hoped it would be or still dare to dream that it might be one day.  But, the LORD is graciously shifting my heart to place my hope in heavenly things, not earthly treasures.”

When we fix our eyes beyond this life, when we can embrace GOD’s eternal perspective, when we remember that anything we hold is what He has generously provided, it is a little easier to loosen our grasp.  We can share material things generously, trusting that the One who granted them in the first place is willing and able to replenish our supply.  We can also begin to receive with joy the opportunity to be used by Him to meet a need or delight someone else.

As a little side note, we took the chance to encourage each other that we shouldn’t be too critical of our own homes or allow ourselves to feed a spirit of discontentment.  In reality, when others step inside our front doors, they are truly grateful to be welcomed into warm, inviting spaces, where they feel seen and cared for.  No one else is concerned about the smaller details we might fuss about in our own minds.  When people matter more than things, we come closer to loving like JESUS loves us.

6. MIND: Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose (pp 131-132)

 “Am I bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of CHRIST (2 Corinthians 10:5)? … Am I wasting my mind on worldly knowledge or pursuits with no eternal value? … Am I guarding the entrance of my mind from impure influences? … Am I devoting my mental capacity to serving CHRIST and furthering His kingdom?”

These questions further solidified our thoughts from previous sections about guarding our time and our words.  We all confessed to being guilty of pointless endeavors or squandering our time.  But we also agreed that these questions describe our true desire – to grow in the mind of CHRIST, one that is pure and eternally purposeful.  

When we are not paying close attention, our minds can get swept along with daily concerns and details as they unfold, with little thought about life beyond this world.  We were challenged (again) to stay in close contact with the Father, to keep our “knees on the floor and our noses in the Book” as a way of centering our minds in a GOD-honoring direction.

7. WILL: Take my will and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine (pp 132-133)

 “Do I consistently seek to know and do the will of GOD in practical, daily matters of life? … Do I become resentful when things don’t go my way? … Do I insist on having the last word in arguments? … Am I stubborn?  Demanding?  Controlling? … Is there anything GOD has shown me to be His will that I am resisting?”

Again, we all confessed moments when we would honestly answer “yes” to some of these questions.  We like our ducks in a row.  We feel confident about our plans or ideas and get frustrated when others interrupt or rearrange them.  Learning flexibility can be a lifelong lesson (in situations with fellow humans as well as taking unexpected direction from our heavenly Father).

On the other hand, each of us can also offer testimony of the countless times the LORD’s plans for our own lives or the lives of those around us have truly been perfect, transcending anything we could have dreamed up.  Despite our feeble impatience, the day came when we could see that those perfect plans unfolded on a timetable that was never late, never deterred, never derailed.

When we pause long enough to acknowledge that His will is truly best, we are compelled to ask, to search, to hunger to know what His will is and to understand how we can best align with it.

8. AFFECTIONS: Take my heart; it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne (pp 133-134)

 “Is there anything or anyone I am more devoted to than CHRIST? … Am I allowing anyone or anything other than CHRIST to control my emotions/responses? … Are my desires, appetites, and longings under CHRIST’s control? … Do I trust GOD’s right to rule over the circumstances of my life?”

As was the case all the way through this exercise, these were tough questions to answer.  We agreed that we trust GOD’s right to rule over every part of our lives (we acknowledge His right and also trust Him to know what is truly best).  But we wondered if we fully understand what it means to allow Him complete control.  Do we say (only in words) that we welcome Him to be in control while we live a different reality, white-knuckle-gripping our own ideas and plans, hopes and dreams?  Sadly, we fear this may be accurate.

How reassuring to consider a second perspective: could the Holy Spirit mercifully and graciously impact our responses, quietly transforming us into the image of His Son, without us fully recognizing the work He is doing in our hearts?  Praise GOD this is also possible!  Anytime we have responded with a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), rather than ugly human tendencies, is evidence that He is at work in us!

The word that challenged us in this section was “devoted”.  Are we devoted to CHRIST in such a way that He is our first and most frequent thought or focus or motivation?  Do we prioritize time and effort with Him, for Him, in pursuit of deeper connection to Him?

O LORD, help us not drift along, oblivious of our intentions and affections.  Help us notice and respond to Your pursuit of our hearts with a hunger to know You more and bring delight to Your heart.

9. RELATIONSHIPS: Take my love; my LORD, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store (pp 134-136)

 “Is it my desire and intent to love GOD will all my heart, above all earthly relationships? … Do I enjoy and seek out the friendship of GOD? … Do I love GOD more than I love myself? … Do I seek His interests, His reputation, and His pleasure above my own? … Have I surrendered to GOD all my desires, rights, and expectations regarding my family?”

The first few questions in this section follow so beautifully with where the LORD was leading our thoughts about our affections.  Nancy’s suggestions here gave us a tangible framework of ways we can turn our hearts toward the LORD, in pursuit of a deeper, growing relationship with Him.  We could more easily picture a genuine friendship, frequent communication, a desire to know His thoughts and the longing to be a part of seeing them fulfilled.  From that place, we could imagine reflecting His heart more accurately, as faithful representatives of Him wherever we go, bringing glory (and due attention) to His Name!

The last few questions about our immediate families were more challenging.  These are our closest loves on this earth, the ones we interact with (in person) on a daily basis, the human beings we feel most comfortably connected to.  Do we treasure our relationship with the LORD more than these?  Do we carve out time to spend with Him and turn our attention to His wishes more than to anyone else?  We don’t know that we can say this is true.  It is an honest admission, but a convicting one.

Father, forgive our fickle hearts and divided attentions.  Draw us closer to You and help us to know what nearer, still nearer to You looks like in daily moments.

10. MYSELF: Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee (p 136)

 “Have I surrendered all that I am and all that I have to GOD? … Is there any part of myself that I am knowingly holding back from GOD? … Have I settled the issue that the ultimate purpose of my life is to please GOD and bring Him glory? … Is the intent of my heart, by His grace, to live the rest of my life wholly for Him and for His pleasure, rather than for myself and my pleasure?”

We came full circle to the deeply probing questions at the beginning of this lesson.  Even after spending time during our summer break to wrestle our way through this exercise individually – and again in discussion together – we collectively seemed to reach this final section with a quiet pensiveness and no quick replies.

We agree in concept to the beauty and merit of GOD’s call to our hearts – to specifically and categorically surrender the whole of our lives to Him.  But we still struggle to fully appreciate what that looks like in real time.  We want to be fully surrendered but realize we still hesitate to hand over COMPLETE CONTROL (even when we realize we have never been in control and really don’t want to take control from the only wise, Sovereign GOD!).  We wonder if we are capable of full surrender in its truest sense!

Will we always fight the urge to hold something back?  How differently would our lives look if they were characterized by singular focus and endeavor every single day – for Him and His pleasure alone?

It is strange to reach this point in our study, with a clearer vision of GOD’s desire for our hearts shifting into focus, but accompanied by a helpless feeling that we will always battle a divided heart.  Wanting, needing the right thing so desperately but feeling completely incapable in and of ourselves to make that one right thing possible.  Sounds a lot like salvation!  

We are incapable of saving ourselves.  That is why CHRIST died!  Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).  That is why JESUS said He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and will ask the Father to send us a Helper to teach us, to guide us, to change the way we think, and to transform us into the image of GOD’s Son (John 14:16, 26; John 16:13; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Praise GOD we are not left to ourselves to walk through this earthly life on our way to our heavenly Home!  For now, we simply ask Him to show us the next right step.

Nancy Wolgemuth also concluded this lesson with a final GRACE NOTE (p 190) and suggested a prayer of surrender (p 137):

“Meditate on Frances Havergal’s quote at the beginning of this chapter: ‘Full consecration may be in one sense the act of a moment and in another the work of a lifetime.  It must be complete to be real, and yet – if real – it is always incomplete.  Consecration is a point of rest and yet a perpetual progression.’  This should both motivate and encourage us to press on in the matter of full surrender to GOD.”

“O LORD, I consecrate to You my life … my time … my body … my tongue … my possessions … my mind … my will … my affections … my relationships … myself.  Take me, have me, do with me as You please.  I am Yours for this moment and forever.  Please work out that surrender in my life – every day, in every matter, until I bow before You in eternity.  Amen.”