Recently I was watching an older movie that is one of my favorites. It's called "Heartbreak Ridge" and stars Clint Eastwood.

 

In this movie Eastwood stars as the close to retirement, grumpy old Gunnery Sergeant, Tom Highway.  Highway has been placed in command of the Recon Platoon, a group of less than motivated enlisted men, who have up to this point had an easy life. Based on years of experience and trial under fire, Highway knew that the attitude of his platoon had to change if they were to survive in a real war.

 

During the platoons first morning of PT together, Highway begins by having his men chant "Surrender is not in our creed!" Needless to say, the less than motivated group of men were not much interested in what their Sergeant had to say. 

 

As the story progresses the platoon tries to challenge the leadership of Highway and they are consistently defeated in the battle of the wills.  Soon though, through a series of small victories, Highway wins the team over to his way of thinking. Ultimately the platoon is deployed on a rescue mission to the island of Grenada. The team excels and rescues the Americans held hostage and the Recon Platoon becomes a force that could truly live the motto, "Surrender is not in our creed!"

 

What I find interesting is that in order to be able to live a life of "surrender is not in our creed," the platoon had to first "surrender" to a greater wisdom than their own.

 

This is a perfect metaphor for our walk with Jesus Christ. Each and every one of us, at one time or another or even always, expects to receive the abundant life promised by Jesus, on our terms. Sorry, but it ain't going to happen that way.

 

Do you want to live the life that has been promised and that Christ desires for you to live? Then you have to take up your cross and follow Him. Quit fighting, stop demanding everything be on your terms, and surrender yourself completely and totally to His will.  Then and only then, will you find the peace you have been searching for.  Then and only then, will you be able to bodly proclaim "Surrender is not in our creed!"