Embracing the Third Principle of Celebrate Recovery: Consciously Choosing to Surrender
August 29, 2024 1:04 PM
The journey to recovery is a path of transformation, healing, and spiritual renewal. In Celebrate Recovery, each principle serves as a stepping stone, guiding us closer to freedom from the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that have held us captive. The third principle marks a significant turning point: it calls us to make a conscious decision to surrender our will and lives to Christ's care and control. This principle states, "Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control," and is rooted in the promise of Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Let's explore what this principle means and how embracing it can lead to lasting change in your recovery journey.
Choosing Surrender
At the heart of the third principle is the concept of surrender. This is not a passive act of giving up, but an active decision to trust God with every aspect of our lives. Many of us have spent years trying to manage our struggles on our own, often leading to more pain and frustration. The third principle invites us to release this burden, acknowledging that we cannot do it alone and that God is capable of guiding us through our recovery.
Surrendering to Christ's care and control means allowing Him to take the lead in our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This verse encourages us to let go of our need to control everything and to trust that God's plan for us is good and perfect.
Understanding Meekness
The third principle is closely tied to the concept of meekness, which is often misunderstood as weakness. However, meekness is not about being timid or powerless; it’s about having strength under control. It is the ability to submit to God's authority, knowing that His wisdom far surpasses our own. Meekness is about trusting God’s plan even when it doesn’t align with our own desires or timing.
Jesus models meekness perfectly in His life. Philippians 2:8 says, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Jesus’ meekness was not a sign of weakness but of incredible strength, as He willingly submitted to God’s will for the sake of humanity.
When we embrace meekness in our recovery journey, we recognize that true strength comes from submitting to God’s will and allowing Him to direct our paths. It’s about choosing to follow His lead, even when it’s difficult or counterintuitive.
The Rewards of Surrender
The third principle of Celebrate Recovery comes with a promise: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This blessing assures us that when we surrender to God’s will, we are not losing out, but gaining far more than we could ever achieve on our own. Inheriting the earth is not just about a future reward but about experiencing the fullness of life that God offers here and now.
When we commit our lives to Christ's care and control, we open ourselves to His abundant grace, peace, and guidance. This surrender allows us to experience true freedom—freedom from the chains of addiction, fear, and shame. Psalm 37:5-6 encourages us with these words: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
As we surrender, we also become more aligned with God’s purposes for our lives. We start to see the bigger picture of how our struggles can be transformed into strengths, and how our past can be redeemed for a greater good.
Taking the Next Step
The third principle of Celebrate Recovery is a call to action. It invites us to make a conscious choice to surrender our lives to Christ and to trust Him with our recovery. This decision is not always easy, but it is the key to unlocking the fullness of life that God desires for us.
As you reflect on this principle, consider what areas of your life you need to surrender to God’s care and control. Where have you been holding on too tightly, and how can you release that to Him? Remember, this surrender is not about losing control, but about placing your life in the hands of a loving and powerful God who wants the best for you.
In your recovery journey, let this principle guide you towards a deeper trust in God’s plan for your life. By committing your life and will to Christ’s care and control, you open yourself to His healing power and begin to experience the peace and freedom that comes from living in alignment with His will.
If you're ready to take this step, know that you’re not alone. Celebrate Recovery Canton is here to support you, offering a community of fellow travelers who are also on this journey of faith and recovery. Together, we can embrace the third principle and move forward in the hope and strength that comes from a life surrendered to Christ.