F.L.O.W: Getting Unstuck Through the Power of Surrender a 5-Day Devotional by Dr. Avril Occilien-SimilienSample

FLOW in Worship

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23 (NIV)

Have you ever paused to consider what worship truly means? To fully walk in our calling, we must understand the depth of worship and why we do it. Growing up, I used to think worship was about singing with other believers during the weekly church service or listening to my favorite song. As I matured in my faith journey, I learned that worship is so much more–it is a way of life.

In John 4:23, Jesus says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” True worship goes beyond location or routine; it begins in the heart and develops as we intentionally focus on building a personal, intimate relationship with God. As we grow in this relationship, worship becomes a natural part of our daily lives, expressed in all we do.

Romans 12:1 urges us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, calling this our “true and proper worship.” This type of worship calls for daily surrender and is demonstrated by how we think, act, and respond to God’s presence and instructions.

Let’s think about it practically. Worship affects how we speak, work with, and treat others. Paul says that living sacrificially for the Lord’s sake, for the good of other people, is the only reasonable, intelligent, thoughtful way to live. The spiritual worship of presenting our bodies to God as instruments means that all our body parts are affected. Our feet walk consistently in His ways. Our mouths tell the truth, speaking life and not death, uplifting others, and not gossiping. Our hands perform various tasks in serving people: cooking, cleaning, driving, repairing, and typing. Our arms embrace hurting people who are desperate for a touch from God. Our ears listen with compassion to the anguish of hurting people. Our eyes focus on the merciful, loving God who is transforming us and can impact the lives of people we love. This activity is not driven by religious duty or concern about receiving praise from other people. It is driven by our desire to reflect who God is and in gratitude for what He has done for us.

Friend, if you feel stuck in your calling and unsure how to move forward, I encourage you to return to the basics—making worship the foundation of your life. Reflect on every area: relationships, activities, and finances. Are you honoring God in all of them? If not, take time to realign with His heart and let worship guide your actions.

Today, I challenge you to let your life be an ongoing act of worship flowing naturally from your relationship with Christ. As you worship in spirit and truth, you will experience God's transformative power and the freedom that comes with true surrender.

Reflect and Journal:

• In what areas of your daily life—such as your relationships, work, or habits—can you be more intentional about worshiping God through your actions and attitude?
• What thoughts or beliefs are causing you to not fully surrender every aspect of your life in service to God? Write them down.

Pray:

Lord, I thank You for calling us to worship You in spirit and in truth. Help me to surrender every area of my life to your service so I may flow in worship. In Jesus’ name…Amen!

Don’t stop here. If this devotional has been valuable to you, continue your journey of flowing in your God-given power by equipping yourself with this resource: “Preparation for the Promise: A Guide as You FLOW into Your Next.”