Used as a signal to request peace or surrender during battle, the tradition of flying a white flag dates back to ancient civilizations like the Roman Empire and China.
I recently ran across an interesting story written by Katarina Donahey as she recounted caring for American and Iraqi soldiers in a hospital tent in Balad, Iraq, in 2005.
"A group of Army members were strolling around to the different areas of the tent hospital bringing Christmas cheer to the wounded. As the carolers sang Silent Night, for a moment, pain was forgotten, hope and joy embraced.
"Immediately a tender hush befell, and the Spirit of the Lord enveloped that space.
"One Iraqi picked up a white cloth and began to wave it like a flag. Then another, and another, and another until there were several who, in flawless unison, were brandishing white. Peace – His peace – not in the absence of unrest and conflict, but right smack in the middle of it.
"Not as the world giveth. Given so kindly. Given so often. In the daily struggle. That hallowed night of 2005 in a makeshift hospital tent in Iraq, there was peace in my heart while there was war in the land as white flags waved heavenward."
How many times amidst the battle of life do we long for a peaceful resolution to our struggles? In the midst of the war within our spirit, we sometimes long to just lay it all down and surrender.
Galatians 5:24-25 relays the message God expects us to surrender in every part of our life. We are to walk in the Spirit in everything we do to produce good works for His glory.
In James 4:7 we are commanded to wave our white flag. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Surrender to God - waving our white flags - is also a stance of resistance against the enemy.
Today's song by Katy Nichole, says, “I know pain, I know struggle, and I know the feeling of hopelessness."
Through the experience of a debilitating illness, her desire was to reach the person who thought hope was gone. Her song "Please" relates that desire.
"Please, come and rescue me.
Please, come and win this fight.
I've let my white flag fly."
Surrender means giving up the desire to control the future, and instead, trusting God will lead and provide for us. Asking God to teach us His will is an act of surrender, acknowledging Him as our God and seeking His guidance to lead us through life.
Today's prayer is from Psalm 143:10. Lord, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground,” as my white flag waves heavenward in surrender to You, Lord. Amen.
