Have you ever clung so tightly to control that you found yourself drained of all strength? Many of us live as though we are the power source of our own lives – constantly trying to generate, store, and manage enough energy to handle every problem. Like faulty wires, we often burn out under the strain of ‘handling too much at one go’. St. Ignatius of Loyola, reminds us that the true strength of a disciple lies not in grasping but in releasing. Surrender is not weakness, it is victory.
When we let go, we allow God’s divine energy to surge into the deepest circuits of our soul. His grace is not a limited utility that must be rationed, it is an inexhaustible current that flows from the Cross. Our task is not to hoard control, but to become receptive to His will and connect to His source of truth and love.
Why Letting Go is Victory
St. Ignatius once wrote: “Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.” To the world, such words might sound like defeat or giving up. But in truth they are the ultimate declaration of trust. By placing all of himself into God’s hands, Ignatius discovered a power far beyond his own.
Think of the way a city comes alive at night when power surges through its grid. Streets glow, homes are warmed, and darkness recedes. Without this current, all remains cold and still. When you surrender to God, your life is lit by His power. You no longer struggle with your own flickering energy but acknowledge that you are connected to His everlasting source.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” // 2 Corinthians 12:9. The act of letting go is not losing, but plugging into a strength that transforms every shadow into light.
The Utility of Grace
The grace that comes from the Lord is our ultimate utility, the hidden force that sustains us when we are too tired to move forward. But unlike earthly services that can be cut off or billed, God’s grace is free and constant – as long as we keep it turned on. St. Ignatius understood this well. After laying down his sword, he learned that utility was not found in clinging to self-reliance but in embracing God’s provision. His Spiritual Exercises invite us to strip away illusions of control and find joy in holy dependence. The power grid of heaven never falters as long as we surrender to Him.
There is Power in Surrender
Surrender does not mean abandoning responsibility or ignoring life’s struggles. It means acknowledging that your own power is limited, but God’s is limitless. It means letting the divine provider repair the tangled wires of fear, pride, and self-doubt that short-circuit your joy.
Christ Himself modeled this surrender in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but Yours be done” // Luke 22:42. In that moment of relinquishment came the greatest victory of all – the salvation of the world. If the Son of God found triumph through surrender, how much more will we, His children, discover strength when we do the same?
Closing Prayer
Dear friend, you do not need to power your life alone. Surrendering is not the lack of strength, but rather the doorway into divine utility. In letting go, you make room for Christ’s electricity to illuminate your path. St. Ignatius assures us that this surrender is not defeat, but the strongest victory we will ever claim.
Let Us Pray
Lord, teach me the strength of surrendering to your will.
Remove the illusion that I must carry every burden in my own power.
Help me to trust in the endless current of Your grace,
to find in You the true utility of peace,
and to shine as a light connected to Your eternal electricity.
Through the intercession of St. Ignatius,
grant me courage to let go, so that I may find victory in You.
Amen.
