“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.”
Let’s be honest: obedience isn’t always the most popular word in our faith journey. It sounds rigid. Restrictive. Like rules and boxes. But when we look deeper, obedience isn’t about control—it’s about surrender. It’s about trusting that God’s ways are higher, even when they don’t always make sense.
Obedience, when it flows from love, becomes worship. And worship, when rooted in surrender, becomes a lifestyle that transforms everything.
When Obedience Feels Costly:
There have been times when I’ve sensed God asking me to do something that felt… risky. Like leaving a role I loved, having a hard conversation, or stepping into a calling that felt too big. Maybe you’ve been there too—standing at the edge of something you know God is asking of you, but everything in you is screaming, But what if…?
Obedience often costs us something—comfort, control, reputation, or certainty. But the cost of disobedience is far greater: the slow drift from intimacy with God, the regret of missed moments, and the peace we forfeit when we resist His voice.
Obedience as a Daily Surrender:
Surrender doesn’t always look like a big, dramatic moment. Most days, it looks like choosing to show up with integrity. Saying yes when you’d rather say no. Holding your tongue when your emotions want to lead. Listening for the Holy Spirit’s whisper and being brave enough to follow.
This is the “living sacrifice” Paul talked about—not a one-time act, but a daily rhythm of saying, Your will, not mine.
From A Pace of Grace, the section on Tenacious Grace reminds us that obedience isn’t just about doing—it’s about becoming. When we obey, we’re shaped into people of endurance, trust, and deep faith.
A Personal Story:
A few years ago, I sensed God nudging me toward something that didn’t make a lot of sense on paper—starting Live Beautiful Ministries. At the time, I was already juggling a full ministry role, raising three kids, and managing the everyday chaos of life. Adding one more thing felt impossible.
I remember walking around my kitchen one night, praying, “Lord, I can’t do this. I don’t have the time, the energy, or the clarity.” And in that still, quiet way, I felt Him whisper to my spirit, You don’t need to have it all you just need to bring Me your yes.
It wasn’t a lightning-bolt moment. I didn’t suddenly get a full plan or a calendar cleared of every obstacle. I just started showing up—writing one blog post, having one conversation, praying one more prayer.
And over time, those little yeses became the foundation for something far greater than I could have built in my own strength. It taught me that obedience doesn’t have to be flashy or fast—it just has to be faithful.
Where is God asking for your yes right now? What step of obedience are you resisting because it feels uncomfortable or unclear? What might change if you trusted that obedience is the pathway to deeper peace?
Obedience is rarely easy—but it is always sacred. When we say yes to God, even in the small things, we align our hearts with His. And over time, we begin to see the fruit of surrender: joy, clarity, and a faith that stands firm.
This week, let’s ask for the courage to obey—one step at a time. Not because we have it all figured out, but because we trust the One who does.
Have you ever obeyed God and seen unexpected fruit? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on. And don’t forget to download this month’s freebie: “Prayers of Surrender to Start Your Day”—a guide to help you walk in obedience, even when it’s hard. [Download Here]
P.S. A Little Sneak Peek:
This post was inspired by my upcoming book, A Pace of Grace: Steadying Your Spirit When Life Feels Messy, releasing March 2026. In it, I share more about what I call Tenacious Grace—the kind of surrender that’s lived out in daily obedience, even when it’s hard or uncertain. If you’ve enjoyed today’s encouragement, you’re going to love the deeper stories and biblical truths I unpack in the book. Consider this your early invitation to walk with me through these grace-filled rhythms.