“I Surrender All”
Matthew 11:28-30 - NIV
28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
All day, this past Saturday, I woke up with the hymn, “I Surrender All” in my head. It was in my head all day. So, I decided to research who wrote the hymn and what led them to write the song. Here is what I found:
“The hymn “I Surrender All” was written in 1896 by Judson W. Van DeVenter, a Methodist layman. Its meaning flows out of Van DeVenter’s own spiritual struggle: he was torn between pursuing his career ambitions in art and yielding fully to God’s call on his life for ministry.”
He went on to be an evangelist and continued writing hymns. In his later years, he taught Hymnology at the Florida Bible Institute. One of his many students was Billy Graham, who later said that Van DeVenter’s life and teaching deeply influenced his own ministry.
In my research, it was said that Van DeVenter wrestled for years before he surrendered to God’s calling. Can you imagine what would have happened if he never surrendered to God’s calling on his life? Certain lives would not have been influenced.
I had a conversation with one of my brothers about surrendering to God and what He has for our lives. We talked about how God’s ways are always easier than then our ways. We struggle and “wrestle” with God with all kinds of decisions in our lives. We strive and try to do it in our own strength and we get tired to the point of exhaustion. When we finally surrender, it’s so much easier. God is calling us out of our exhaustion, letting us know that He will come along side us and guide us. Sometimes He carries us.
In light of Matthew 11, when we are surrendered to God, we are letting Him put his “yoke” upon us.
I looked up an explanation of what a “yoke” is:
“A yoke is a wooden beam or frame placed across the necks of two animals—usually oxen—so they can work together to pull a plow, cart, or heavy load. It distributes the weight evenly between them, making it possible to do hard labor efficiently.
Farmers would often pair a stronger, more experienced animal with a younger one. The younger ox would “learn the ropes” by walking in step with the older ox, carrying part of the load but being guided and steadied.”
I really like that in the explanation, the younger ox is not only guided, but steadied, too. Being steadied reminds me that Jesus Christ is our rock and our foundation.
When two oxen are yoked together, the stronger, more experienced one “steadies” the younger by:
Keeping it walking in a straight line.
Preventing it from wandering off or stumbling under the weight.
Sharing the burden so it doesn’t collapse.
That’s what God does for us spiritually—He steadies our lives when we walk with Him.
God gives guidance so we don’t lose direction.
God offers His strength when we are weak.
God provides us His peace when we feel shaken.
When we are truly “yoked” with God, we are allowing God to guide us. He is the stronger “ox” and we can learn from Him and be guided by Him.
We often find ourselves wrestling between our own will and God’s will, just like Van DeVenter did. The hymn becomes both a prayer and a declaration, helping us vocalize our desire to fully surrender to God—even when it feels costly.
What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God?
Blessings,
Allyson Hara
