Surrendering to God’s will was the clear and powerful call that echoed through our church this past Sunday at Rhema South Coast Family Church. We had the privilege of welcoming Ps Charné Pretorius from 3C Church, and from the very first moments, it felt like God was speaking not only to us as individuals, but to us as a church family stepping into a significant new season.
As Ps Charné shared, Christmas is a precious reminder that without Christ, we would be eternally lost — but because of Him, we are united as one family, diverse in background yet joined by the Spirit of God. Her message challenged us to honestly examine how much of our lives are shaped by our own will, and how much are truly surrendered to God’s will. As we prepare our hearts for the year ahead and for the journey of becoming part of the 3C network over the next six months, this was a timely and deeply grounding word.
The Heart of Surrender – “Your Will Be Done”
Ps Charné began by sharing how, during this season, we reflect on the incredible gift of salvation that Jesus brought us. It’s easy to get caught up in our own plans, dreams, and desires, but the true joy of Christmas is remembering that Jesus’ birth marked the beginning of God’s will being done on earth.
In Matthew 6:10 NKJV, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This simple yet powerful phrase is the foundation of our prayer life, and Ps Charné highlighted its significance. In Jesus’ final prayer, He echoed these words: “Not my will, but Your will be done” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV). This repeated plea in both the model prayer and Jesus’ own final words before His crucifixion reminds us that living according to God’s will is a cornerstone of our faith.
The Dangers of Living for Our Own Will
The message took us through the lives of several biblical figures who exalted their own will over God’s.
- Lucifer – The first to rebel against God’s will, he sought to exalt his own will, leading to his fall from grace.
- Adam and Eve – Their choice to listen to their own desires instead of God’s command brought sin into the world.
- Jonah – The prophet who chose to run from God’s calling, only to find himself in the belly of a fish, facing the consequences of his stubbornness.
- King Saul – Saul’s failure to wait for God’s timing led to the downfall of his kingdom.
- The Rich Young Ruler – Despite following all the laws, his heart was set on his wealth, rejecting Jesus’ call to follow Him.
These stories serve as cautionary tales, urging us to surrender our will to God’s. In contrast, Ps Charné reminded us that when we live according to God’s will, we step into the fullness of His blessings.
Mary’s Surrender: A Model of Trust and Obedience
One of the most powerful examples of surrender in Scripture is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her willingness to submit to God’s will, despite the potential shame and hardship, demonstrated a deep trust in God’s plan. In Luke 1:38 NKJV, she declared, “Let it be to me according to Your word.” This attitude of surrender, even in the face of uncertainty, serves as a model for us today.
The Example of Abraham: Trusting in God’s Promises
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, even after waiting for years for God’s promise, shows us the power of a surrendered life. In Genesis 22:2 NKJV, God commanded Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering…” Despite the confusion and pain, Abraham chose to trust God’s plan. His surrender not only saved his son but made him the father of many nations.
A Surrendered Life Leads to Miraculous Blessings
In the New Testament, Peter provides another example of surrender. As a fisherman, he knew his trade well, yet when Jesus instructed him to cast his net in a seemingly unproductive place, Peter responded with obedience: “At Your word, I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5 NKJV). His obedience resulted in a miraculous catch, showing us that when we surrender our will to God, He brings forth blessings beyond our imagination.
Stepping into 2026 with a Surrendered Heart
As we look to the year ahead, Ps Charné challenged us to surrender every aspect of our lives to God. From our marriages to our finances, our relationships to our mental health, we must ask ourselves: Are we living surrendered to God’s will?
In James 4:7 NKJV, we are called to “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The act of submission isn’t passive; it’s an active choice to align our lives with God’s plans. As we enter 2026, let us make a commitment to live surrendered to God’s will, knowing that when we do, He will guide us and provide everything we need.
Surrendering Your Will to God
As we close this message, let it be a reminder that surrendering our will to God isn’t always easy. It requires us to let go of our desires and trust in God’s perfect plan for our lives. This Christmas season, take time to reflect on areas where you may need to surrender your will. Perhaps it’s your finances, relationships, or career. Whatever it may be, take a moment to pray, “Not my will, but Your will be done.”
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, we invite you to do so today. Visit Salvation Prayer to learn how you can start a new journey with Jesus. Let this be the year that you truly say, “Let it be to me according to Your word.”
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
As we step into the new year, we want to invite every member of our church family to join us for 21 days of prayer and fasting, starting on 5 January. This is a powerful time to quiet our own voices, align our hearts with God, and intentionally practise surrendering to God’s will as we begin the year.
Prayer and fasting help us reset our focus, sharpen our spiritual hearing, and position ourselves to receive God’s direction for the season ahead. Whether you are fasting food, media, or another meaningful area, the heart behind it is the same: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” We encourage you to commit, lean in, and believe God for clarity, renewal, and breakthrough as we seek Him together.
Closing Prayer:
Father God, we come before You today, asking for the strength and grace to surrender our will to Yours. We confess the areas where we have resisted Your plan and have tried to do things our own way. Please forgive us and help us to trust You fully. May Your will be done in every area of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
