How to Devote Your Life to the Lord

7 Day Series

Day 1: Surrendering Your Will to God

Scripture:

Romans 12:1 – "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Reflection:

Devotion to God begins with surrender, and surrender is not always an easy choice. Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. This metaphor of a "living sacrifice" invites us to consider what it truly means to lay down our lives for God. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were dead offerings, but as living sacrifices, we are to continually choose to give ourselves to God every single day. Our surrender is a conscious decision, an ongoing act of worship.

The reason this is the "true and proper" worship is because it goes beyond outward rituals or obligations; it is the complete offering of our hearts, minds, and lives to God. Surrender means letting go of control and trusting in His plan for us, even when it seems unclear or uncomfortable. It involves submitting our own desires, dreams, and will to Him, believing that He has something far better in store.

At the core of surrender is trust—trusting that God’s will is always better than our own. We may hold tightly to our plans, but when we surrender, we acknowledge that His ways are higher, and His wisdom is beyond our understanding. Sometimes, surrender means allowing God to take the lead, especially when we don’t understand where He’s taking us or why He’s asking us to go in a different direction. It’s in those moments of trust and obedience that we grow closer to Him and experience His perfect peace.

When we surrender to God, we also experience freedom. We free ourselves from the burden of trying to control every detail of our lives, and we allow God to take His rightful place as the center of our lives. Surrender is not about losing control but gaining the fullness of God's presence and purpose.

In essence, to devote our lives to God, we must continually choose to let go of our own will and align ourselves with His. It’s not a one-time act but a daily commitment to trust, obey, and follow Him no matter the circumstances.

Action Step:

Take a moment today to reflect on areas of your life where you may still be holding on to control. This could be in relationships, your career, finances, or personal goals. Ask God to reveal these areas to you. Pray and invite Him to help you surrender these parts of your life to His will, trusting that His plans are far greater than your own.

Prayer:

Lord, I surrender my will to You. Help me to trust Your plan for my life and live in a way that honors You.