Spring Is Coming

by Melissa Schlabach

Surrender isn’t a very popular topic to write about. In fact, I can’t imagine that anyone would look forward to read a blog with the word “surrender” in the title. So I deceptively titled this post in order to lure more people to take a gander. You’re welcome.

When I think of surrender, I immediately picture one of those guys who looks like George Washington from the 1800s—you know, the ones with the pointy hats and white bloomer pants. I imagine a bunch of those guys sailing on a boat on their return home, battered and defeated, a little white flag flapping from the mast.

A quick Google search brought me to a piece of art called, The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Basically, if you exchange the ships for horses, it’s as if the artist, John Turnbull, painted what was in my head. 

The artwork depicts the British army (in red) surrendering to American General Benjamin Lincoln after the British surrendered to the French and American armies at the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia. This battle was key because it ended the last major campaign of the Revolutionary War. America was finally free.

If you study the event, you’ll learn that British Lieutenant General Charles, Earl Cornwallis, the man for whom the painting is named, actually chose not to participate in the surrender at Yorktown. Instead, he “cited illness” and left General Charles O’Hara to surrender the British troops. Wow, Cornwallis, just wow. 

In the center of the painting, Benjamin Lincoln reaches out his hand to receive the sword from an incredulous General Charles O’Hara. O’Hara’s arm remains at his side. If I employ my imagination in this moment, I would imagine Lincoln calmly coaxing, “Give it to me, O’Hara. That’s it, hand it over.” And O’Hara mumbling in the most British of accents, “But I don’t want to, Sire.” Maybe even throw in a little stomp of the foot to really complete the scene. Same, O’Hara, same. 

When I saw this painting, it was like looking at a depiction of myself.  God, seated on his horse, holding out his hand, and gently coaxing me like a little toddler. And me, in my little red coat, wig askew, and sword at my side, unwilling to give up the one thing I want most. Have you ever been there? 

It took me six months before I realized that God’s word of the year for me in 2024 was “surrender.” He was asking me to give up something in my life that felt impossible. As I spent more time in prayer, I began to see the parallel of a similar experience from a number of years ago when I was still single. I longed for marriage during that time. It seemed like most of my friends were already married, and it was starting to feel like God had forgotten me. Yet, every time I tried to take matters into my own hands, I was left brokenhearted and even more discontent. Then, one day, God clearly asked me, “Melissa, do you desire to be married more than you desire me?”

Through prayer and introspection, I began to ask myself and God, “Will I be ok if I never receive this one thing?” At first, that thought was so painful, I almost couldn’t bring myself to ask. I grieved what that could mean for me. However, that one question was the beginning of a surrendered heart. 

Surrender isn’t easy. In fact, it often feels like a death. It’s opening up the ground and burying your own agenda, trusting that you’ll still be ok. It’s resting in the unknown. 

Surrender isn’t giving up the desire, it’s giving up the control. 

My desire to be married never went away, even after I handed over that part of my heart to God. But the controlling part of my heart was surrendered to the fact that even if I never received that precious gift, God would still fulfill my heart. 

On Sunday, Ken Stolzfus asked, “What is that thing you so desperately long for that is stealing your freedom and joy?” Are there unsurrendered areas in your heart that you haven’t yet relinquished to Him? If there’s something in your life that you’re hesitating to give to God, that may be a red flag. That thing has very likely become an idol. 

Have you been delaying the inevitable? Have you been avoiding his presence because you don’t want to have to surrender that one thing?  God is patient and gracious. He waits with his hand outstretched. Will you hand over your sword?

This is the current lesson that I’m relearning in this season. I’m sure it will happen again in another. I can’t say that surrender gets easier. To be honest, the stakes seem to be getting higher. But God has shown himself faithful through every season and “surrender” of my life.

I can promise you that the seeds of control that you bury now will bloom into gifts far more beautiful than you could hope or imagine. A seed must die in order to produce life.

Whenever God asks you to lay something down, there’s always an invitation on the other end. Spring is coming.

God knows what’s best for you. He knows what we need more than we do. He also knew that the British certainly didn’t need one more plot of land. #amiright?