Yes, “sin” is an ugly “s” word. Yet, there is another “s” word with which we are almost more uncomfortable: surrender. Neither waving the white flag in battle nor allowing ourselves to be pinned to the mat in wrestling seem like anything we are eager to do. But that’s not quite what God has in mind. Just as ground that is cultivated has a better opportunity to receive seed & produce vegetation with beautiful flowers and life-giving fruit, letting go of control & submitting to the leadership of Jesus has the opportunity to fulfill his deeper purpose in our lives. It is in surrender to God that we not only avoid sin, but also grow & mature in faith, which is beautiful & life-giving to the people around us.