In Romans 12:1,  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. Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which he calls our spiritual worship. When I think about that, it strikes me that Paul isn’t just talking about what we do in church or how we pray; he’s talking about our whole lives. He’s inviting us to a life of complete devotion to God, not just through words or rituals, but through the way we live, think, and love every single day.

A living sacrifice is different from the sacrifices of the Old Testament that were offered once and done. What Paul describes is something ongoing, something that requires daily surrender. It means waking up each morning with a heart that says, “God, my life belongs to You today. Use me, shape me, lead me.” It’s a continuous offering of ourselves, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.

To live this way means letting God into every part of who we are; our thoughts, our actions, our habits, and even our weaknesses. It’s choosing to worship not only with our voices, but with our obedience, our kindness, and our willingness to follow where He leads. It’s saying yes to His will even when it interrupts our own plans.

There’s something beautiful and freeing about this kind of surrender. It’s not about striving for perfection or trying to earn God’s approval. It’s about trusting Him enough to hand over control. When we present our lives as a living sacrifice, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Our minds begin to change, our hearts soften, and our desires start to align with His.

It’s not always easy to stay on the altar, especially when life feels uncertain or when obedience costs something. But that’s where faith grows the most; in the quiet moments of surrender when we choose God over ourselves. In doing so, our lives become an ongoing act of worship, a reflection of gratitude to the One who gave everything for us.

To live as a living sacrifice is to live with open hands and an open heart. It’s trusting that when we give God everything, He gives us Himself; and that is always enough.