A Surrendered Life

BY GUEST WRITER VICKI COTTINGHAM

As I sought God at the end of last year, I sensed that His word for me in 2026 was “Surrender”. Interestingly, I could not find the word ‘surrender’ in the Bible, apart from the times when it referred to surrendering to others in times of war. Yet, the concept of surrendering our lives to God, is evident throughout the whole of the Bible.

As we read our Bible, we see examples of surrendering to God out of our love for Him. Submitting to His will and purposes. Sacrificing what we desire for His desires. We see this clearly in the life of Jesus as He did what He saw the Father do, and in His obedience to God’s will. We also see it in the lives of other men and women throughout the Bible.

With that in mind, my verse for this year is Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (ESV)

As with most years, I never realise at the time how relevant my one word will be. It is only as the year unfolds that I see how right the word is.

God is showing me how I need to surrender wrong attitudes, and live out, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in me, the fruit of the Spirit, particularly patience.

Living a surrendered life is not just about me, it also relates to my relationships with others. Do I surrender my desire and efforts to try to control and fix things for them? Do I accept that I don’t really know what’s best for them (even though I think I do)? Do I surrender them into God’s keeping? Do I trust them to God’s loving care and allow Him to have His way?

Let me share with you one example of what’s been happening this year regarding surrender. My dad has been in a nursing home for over two years. He is not able to care for himself. He needs someone to take care of his health needs, and be responsible for giving him his medications. Sometimes he cannot feed himself. He lives in his own reality. And I often question why? Why has God left him like this?

Then in May, Dad had a heart attack, everyone thought this was the end, and we committed him to God. He was put on end of life care and I stayed with him that night as we weren’t sure he would even make it through the night. And yet, somehow, Dad pulled through. But with even less ability than before. Why can’t God take him to be with Him in heaven where he would be much better off? It just does not make sense!

And yet, this is where surrender really comes in. I have had to surrender my dad into God’s keeping. I have to submit him into God’s care and say, God have your way, even though it’s not my way. And I do not always find it easy! (Just in case you thought it was.)

Spiritual surrender is not forced upon us. Rather, it is a choice we make willingly. In knowing how much God loves us and desires the best for us, we choose to give up control of our own lives – submitting to Him, trusting and obeying Him.

To Think About:

What does a surrendered life look like for you? Is there something in your life God is calling you to surrender to Him?

To read more of Vicki’s devotionals, browse her book reviews, or learn about prayer shawls, go to: Vicki Cottingham – Author – Blogger – Speaker

Picture Credit: Photo by Christopher More on www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-woman-with-arms-raised-under-yellow-sky-at-sunset-17339276