A Life Fully Surrendered

There is a powerful story of Abraham Lincoln stumbling upon a horrific slave auction. In desperation, he “bought” a young slave girl and then set her free. In her confusion as to what was happening, she asked, “If I am free, can I go where I want to go, do what I want to do, and say what I want to say?” When Mr. Lincoln assured her that freedom meant all of those things were true, the emancipated young woman said, “Then I choose to stay with you.”

There’s a powerful image in Scripture of a servant who chooses to stay with his master—not because he has to, but because he wants to.

That kind of surrender is what I long for. The Bible says:

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master… and do not want to go free,’ then… he will be his servant for life.” (Exodus 21:5–6, NIV)

This is a picture of willing devotion. A choice to belong. In fact, there was a name for a servant who made the decision to belong to his master’s household. They were called “free-men.”

God doesn’t force me to follow Him. He invites me. And every day, I have the opportunity to say yes.

I can choose to say: “I’m Yours. I belong to Your family. You are my Father. I am Your son.”

I can choose this sentiment not just in words, but in how I live. In my decisions. In my priorities. In my relationships.

Surrender isn’t a one-time moment—it’s a daily choice, and today, I want to choose Him again. I can use my freedom any way I want to. Today, I want to use my freedom to stay close to the One who paid my debt and set me free! 

Let’s pray together:

Dear Father, I choose You today. Not out of obligation, but out of love. I give myself to You fully—my plans, my fears, my future. I am Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Never forget, my friend—

You are a miracle!