*This devotion is based on the painting “The Woman in Black” painted by my husband in 2013 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mpracht)
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1
She is not someone who would describe herself as a person who needs to be in control. However, internally, she knows she is someone who likes routine and is a creature of habit – both good and bad ones. She knows she must surrender, but the shame holds her back.
Surrendering is something she has struggled with on a daily basis. She finally let go, offering her whole self for Him to work through.
Giving up control, even of those things that seem small and trivial, brings her closer to the God who loves and fully knows her- who is more on her side than she is herself. He already knows what the day ahead is going to look like – the temptations that will come, the struggles she will face.
Surrendering makes her faith stronger, her trust in Him builds, and she continues to reflect on all His provision.
“Surrendering is the laying down of resistance to the One who loves me infinitely more than I can guess, the One who is more on my side than I am myself.” A Season for the Spirit Martin L. Smith
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender myself to you. I give up my old self: who I was, my old habits, my sinful self, and ask you to create in me a new life, a new, clean heart – each day, everyday.
Raelyn Pracht 