Pastor Wayne's World
I recently found a book that I had read when I was a young Second Lieutenant in the army. The book is entitled “The White Flag Principle: How to Lose a War and Why” by Shimon Tzabar. The 9 chapters have interesting titles, and some of them are Why Defeat? Managing a Bad Foreign Policy, Ruining a Flourishing Economy, Disuniting a United Society, Building Up an Army for Defeat, Giving Oneself Up, and of course, the last chapter, The March into Captivity. I must be honest, when I first read it, I didn’t know if this book was a joke or a serious work. I started reading it as if it was a joke, however, it rather quickly turned into a very serious and dark read. This Shimon Tzabar wasn’t kidding; he was explaining and laying the foundation on how to surrender and how to do it effectively with quotes, research, and detailed footnotes!
In the chapter on Giving Oneself Up, the author explains that there are only two universally accepted methods of surrender. Both are visual in nature and can be easily understood by any person. The first one is the raising of a white flag. The flag must be of a certain color or shade of white (The British Colour Council official white) and must be of sufficient breadth and length to expose the largest possible surface area. Dimensions, shapes, and materials are offered to help you make an official white flag. Instructions are also given on how to make a white flag from 5 American flags!
The second method of surrender is with the hands up over your head with the elbows at a 90-degree angle, palms facing outward toward the enemy. Then, when the enemy is within fifteen to twelve feet, you are to raise your hands higher so that your elbows are level with the top of your eyebrows. I’m not making this up! It’s really in the book! There are even pictures of correct and incorrect methods of raising your arms in
surrender with angles of degrees listed for your arms!
All of this got me thinking about how, every morning, I surrender my life to Christ. Before my feet hit the floor I pray to Jesus and give Him everything. I give Him my schedule, my life, my family, my ministry, EVERYTHING, I surrender to Him! I take seriously the scripture: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2 ESV
I pray every day that I do His will and not mine. Like Jesus, who was facing a horrible time of pain and suffering, prayed to God the Father: "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” -Mark 14:36 ESV
Yet not what I will, but what you will. Words to live by. Words to start the day by. Words to help you surrender to Christ each day. Raise the white flag to Christ, lift your arms and hands in sweet surrender to the risen Christ, and let His will be done in your life!
Blessings from a soldier who surrendered to Christ!
Pastor Wayne
In the chapter on Giving Oneself Up, the author explains that there are only two universally accepted methods of surrender. Both are visual in nature and can be easily understood by any person. The first one is the raising of a white flag. The flag must be of a certain color or shade of white (The British Colour Council official white) and must be of sufficient breadth and length to expose the largest possible surface area. Dimensions, shapes, and materials are offered to help you make an official white flag. Instructions are also given on how to make a white flag from 5 American flags!
The second method of surrender is with the hands up over your head with the elbows at a 90-degree angle, palms facing outward toward the enemy. Then, when the enemy is within fifteen to twelve feet, you are to raise your hands higher so that your elbows are level with the top of your eyebrows. I’m not making this up! It’s really in the book! There are even pictures of correct and incorrect methods of raising your arms in
surrender with angles of degrees listed for your arms!
All of this got me thinking about how, every morning, I surrender my life to Christ. Before my feet hit the floor I pray to Jesus and give Him everything. I give Him my schedule, my life, my family, my ministry, EVERYTHING, I surrender to Him! I take seriously the scripture: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2 ESV
I pray every day that I do His will and not mine. Like Jesus, who was facing a horrible time of pain and suffering, prayed to God the Father: "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” -Mark 14:36 ESV
Yet not what I will, but what you will. Words to live by. Words to start the day by. Words to help you surrender to Christ each day. Raise the white flag to Christ, lift your arms and hands in sweet surrender to the risen Christ, and let His will be done in your life!
Blessings from a soldier who surrendered to Christ!
Pastor Wayne