"The surrender that they talk about at AA in my area sounds more like giving up responsibility to God for our sobriety as something that is "out of our control"."
Whoops. Sounds to me as though someone may be scrambling a couple of different AA beliefs. Haven't a clue about meetings in your area, but my understanding has always been:
-- I am powerless over alcohol. No argument there. Once I got really honest with myself, I had to admit that I had lost the ability to control my drinking, or predict my behavior, once I took a drink.
-- God, or a Higher Power (of my own choosing), can and will assist me if I ask for help. Belief isn't that He'll do it for me. The work is mine to do. He sure is nice backup though!
It was essential that I give up the idea that I could control my drinking. (Chapter 3 in "the Big Book" talks all about that.) NONE of the facts supported that I could, you understand. No one who knew me would have told you that I could "take it or leave it." But as an egotistical, practicing alcoholic, the last thing I wanted to admit was that "anything" could be stronger than my own will. I thought it would show weakness if I admitted that booze had me whipped, and that I needed help. Later learned the opposite is true. It takes courage to surrender any problem, and certainly one of that magnitude.
Hope this helps!
I agree 100% with everything that you said. I can easily "surrender" to the idea that I am unable to control my drinking, once I took a drink. So, I intend to not let that happen again.