resignation or pink slip

So I have still been reading and praying over this whole “laying down” versus “surrendering” concept.  I moved from song lyrics to scripture and searched for where we’ve translated the original text into “lay down”.

Sure several instances where about getting to know someone in the biblical sense but there were a few occurrence that were more in tune with the song.

John 10:11 has one in the Amplified translation:

“I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd risk

and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.”

That was cool but what really struck me was a few verses later in John 10:17-18 that reads:

“For this [reason] the Father loves Me,

because I lay down My [own] life–to take it back again.

No one takes it away from Me.

On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily.

[I put it from Myself.] I am authorized

and have power to lay it down (to resign it)

and I am authorized and have power to take it back again.

These are the instructions (orders) which

I have received [as My charge] from My Father.”

I still plan to look up what these words were in the original language but a realization just hit.  Basically the Amplified version is quoting Jesus as saying “I have the power to resign”.  That’s big.  In a crude layman’s term he has the power to quit.  And “I quit” usually seems to come out as a hasty “You can’t fire me, I quit”.

Now “fire” drives home an image of war.  Although my battle field experience has been limited to a paintball field that has been a time or two when I’ve said “Don’t fire, I surrender.”  That’s only been in dire situations where I’ve heard someone approach me from behind.  A shot in the back in so very painful, so I’d much rather surrender than take the hit.

Now I wonder do I surrender to God only when I’m backed into a corner or am I willing to lay down my dreams even when I see a means of accomplishing them?

If I have hope in myself and my own deeds and works does that make it hard for me to have complete faith in God?

There’s more to dig up here.