One of the most challenging aspects of faith for me is understanding and surrendering my will to God’s. We often come to God with our plans, dreams, and desires, hoping He will align His will with ours. But true faith requires the opposite: it requires us to align our will with His. This process isn’t a quick fix or something we can do in one prayer. It’s an ongoing act of daily surrender that is nurtured through time spent with Him through prayer and surrender.

This is beautifully demonstrated in the Christmas story. Mary, a young woman with her own dreams for the future, was visited by an angel with a message that would completely change the plans she had for her life. She was told she would give birth to the Messiah—an enormous responsibility that brought uncertainty and potential rejection by friends, family, and possibly even her fiancé. Yet, her response was one of complete surrender: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary didn’t ask for more details or guarantees that everything would be taken care of; she just trusted God.

The Christmas story reminds us that God's will isn’t something we simply pray about when we need an immediate answer. It’s something that’s revealed over time. Someone once said to me, if you work out one hour a week, do you think you’ll be in good shape? The obvious answer was no. So then why do so many of us think that is enough time to spend with God? Particularly if we desire His will for our lives. Just as Mary’s life was shaped by the presence of God, our lives are shaped when we spend consistent, intentional time with Him. This requires a daily walk with Him, building a relationship that reveals His will over time. God’s will is not a destination, it is a lifelong journey. And, just like working out, if you stop, you may start to lose some of those gains.

As we continue in the Christmas season, we celebrate the ultimate revealing of God’s will through the birth of Jesus. This plan required a full surrender from Mary. And it requires surrender from us as well—not just in a moment of crisis, but in the everyday, ongoing pursuit of Him. His will is not always immediate or easy to see, but it is always good, and it will always bring us peace, purpose, and fulfillment when we take the time to allow Him to guide us.

This Christmas, I encourage you to consider what spending time with God daily looks like for you? This devotional is a great start. Let’s not wait until we’re at a breaking point to seek God’s will. Let’s prioritize Him in our everyday lives, knowing that it’s in that pursuit—through time, prayer, and surrender—that His plans are revealed.