Living In God's Best

Have you ever paused to wonder if you're living the best life God has planned for you? The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that God’s will for us isn’t just good—it’s perfect. That’s an extraordinary thought, isn’t it? That God, who created the universe and knows every detail of our lives, has a unique, custom-designed purpose for each of us.

The apostle Paul writes: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

This passage has the power to change lives, and I believe it can transform yours too. It’s an invitation to step into a life that isn’t just satisfying but abundant—the kind of life only God can give. But here’s the catch: stepping into God’s best requires surrender.

Surrender is a word that can make us uneasy. It implies giving up control, relinquishing our will, and trusting that God’s plans are better than ours. If we’re honest, it’s surprising that we can trust God with our eternal souls but hesitate to trust Him with our day-to-day lives. Yet this hesitation is common for so many of us. We tell ourselves we’re surrendering, but our grip remains tight on the areas we’re afraid to release.

I struggled with this early in my walk with Christ. I would come to the altar, ready to pray, ready to give my all to God. But I couldn’t quite let go. There was a battle raging inside me—a fear of what God might ask of me. What if He wanted me to give up something I loved? What if His plans didn’t align with mine?

At the heart of it, my struggle was one of trust. I had to believe that if God’s will was perfect, then what He wanted for me would always be better than what I wanted for myself. That’s a challenging belief to live out, but it’s foundational to living in God’s best. When I finally said, “Lord, I surrender all,” I experienced a peace and clarity I’d never known before. Surrender isn't about giving up; it's about gaining everything God has waiting for us.

Here’s a hard truth: when we cling to our own plans, dreams, and desires instead of surrendering to God’s will, we’re practicing idolatry. That may sound harsh, but think about it. Idolatry isn’t just bowing down to a statue; it’s placing anything—our comfort, relationships, ambitions—above God.

For me, one of the biggest idols was my desire for security. I worried about where God might lead me if I surrendered fully. Would He send me somewhere I didn’t want to go? Would He take away things I loved?

Idolatry often disguises itself as practicality or self-preservation. It can look like planning for the future, but without consulting God. It can sound like following your dreams, but without asking if those dreams are aligned with His. Romans 12:1 reminds us that our surrender is a “reasonable service.” God isn’t asking for blind faith—He’s asking for trust based on His character and promises. He knows what’s best for us because He made us. He created us with gifts, desires, and purposes that only find fulfillment in Him.

The key to living in God’s best is transformation, and that begins with the renewing of your mind. Let’s be honest: we’re surrounded by a world that constantly tries to shape our values and priorities. It’s easy to conform, to think like everyone else and chase after what the world says is important—success, wealth, popularity.

But God calls us to something different. Transformation happens when we allow His Word to change the way we think. It’s a gradual but intentional shift from focusing on temporary things to seeking what is eternal. Instead of pursuing fleeting pleasures, we begin to seek true purpose and lasting joy.

Remember Esau? He traded his birthright for a bowl of stew—a fleeting moment of satisfaction. How often do we do the same thing, sacrificing God’s best for something immediate and temporary? Transformation means recognizing the bigger picture and trusting that what God has for us is worth waiting for. We let go of the urgent, superficial desires so we can receive His deep and lasting gifts.


If you’re wondering what surrender and sacrifice look like, look no further than Jesus.

Philippians 2:5-8 says: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Jesus surrendered completely to the Father’s will. He sacrificed everything for the sake of God’s plan, and He did it with joy. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him.” That joy was you and me. His sacrifice made our salvation possible, and His example shows us that surrender is always worth it. If God’s Son could trust the Father fully, even unto death, surely we can trust Him in our lives.

Encouragement: no one who has ever fully surrendered to God has regretted it. C.T. Studd, a wealthy and famous athlete, gave up everything to become a missionary. He used his fortune to fund missions work and lived a life of sacrifice and service. At the end of his life, he didn’t look back with regret. He saw the eternal impact of his choices and found joy in knowing he had lived for God’s glory.

Jim Elliot, another missionary, wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Those words remind us that surrender isn’t losing—it’s gaining. When we let go of our plans, we make room for God’s. And His plans are always better. We don’t lose ourselves in surrender; we discover the truest version of who God created us to be.


A Challenge for Today

So, what about you? What’s holding you back from fully surrendering to God? Is it fear, comfort, or the need for control? Whatever it is, I encourage you to lay it down. Trust that God’s best is worth the sacrifice. God gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him. Will you trust Him enough to let go?

Let today be the day you release your grip and say, "Lord, I trust you with everything."
Surrender isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a life more abundant than you could imagine.