Where are You Standing?

Standing in God's Will

Dear Ekklesia Family,

As we enter into this moment of reflection, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to your favorite version of the song, "I Surrender All," both before and after reading this devotional. Let the words settle into your spirit, preparing your heart to embrace the fullness of surrender to our Lord.

Today, let’s reflect on the incredible gift God has given us: the freedom to choose, our free will. God, in His love and wisdom, allows us to make decisions in our lives. But with that freedom comes a call—a call to surrender our will back to Him. In Romans 12:1-2 (NLT), Paul urges us, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

God knows our hearts, our desires, and our struggles. He understands how difficult it can be to lay down our own plans and ambitions. Surrendering to God’s will is not a one-time act, but a daily choice. Every day, we are invited to set aside our will and say, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.”

When we choose to surrender, we are not giving up—we are gaining the fullness of life. God’s will is for our good, even when it stretches us, or when we don’t fully understand it. He knows what is best for us, far beyond what we can imagine. Just as Jesus surrendered in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” we, too, are called to entrust our lives into His loving hands.

As you go about your day, ask yourself, “Am I holding on to my will, or am I yielding to God’s direction?” Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and decisions. Trust that His ways are higher than ours, and know that true peace is found in surrender. Perhaps this means stepping out in faith where He leads, letting go of a grudge, or trusting Him with your future.

Lord Jesus, I come before You with a heart willing to surrender. I lay down my plans, my desires, and my fears, trusting that Your will for my life is good. Help me to follow Your guidance, to trust in Your wisdom, and to stand firm in Your love. Let me be a vessel for Your glory. In Your holy name, Amen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to follow You. Strengthen each person here to walk in Your will, with courage and trust. For those who have yet to surrender, I invite them to come to You, to receive Your love, and to know the joy of living in Your will. Lord, draw us closer, that we may find our purpose and peace in You alone. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

As you listen to "I Surrender All" again, let this be the anthem of your heart, declaring your trust in the One who knows you completely and loves you deeply. Remember, there is no greater joy than standing in the will of God, where we find true freedom, purpose, and eternal life.

Proud to confess, Jesus and I, LoveUmorethanUknow, Stephän