I surrender my life at the altar.

 I Lay My Life on the Altar

A Reflection on Romans 12:1

I lay my life on the altar—not a sacrifice of death,

But a living, breathing offering, surrendered with each breath.

Not a once-for-all, but daily, as the morning sun ascends,

I place my hands upon the horns and watch my striving end.

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. (Romans 12:1)

No longer my own—my plans, my dreams, my will,

My restless chasing after goals that leave my spirit still.

I lay them down: the need for praise, the hunger for control,

The fear that grips, the pride that builds a fortress round my soul.

Upon the altar—not of stone, but of surrendered heart,

Where the fire of the Holy Spirit does His sanctifying art.

Not to consume in judgment, but to purify and keep,

To burn away the dross of sin and wake me from my sleep.

Offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer every part of yourselves to Him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

I lay my hands, my feet, my voice, my time, my treasure too.

I lay my open future, not knowing what You'll do.

I lay my reputation, my comfort, and my pride.

Upon the altar, Lord, I have no place left to hide.

The altar is not a place of loss—it is the place of gain.

For what I give, You multiply in mercy, not in pain.

You take the broken pieces, the fragments of my days,

And turn my living sacrifice into a song of praise.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

So here I am. I lay my life upon the altar now.

Not with reluctance, but with joy—to You alone I bow.

Consume me, Holy Fire; make me holy, pure, and true.

I lay my life on the altar, Lord. I give myself to You.

Amen.