You are God! And i am not. I write this frequently in my prayer journal. It is a reminder that no matter how hard I think my work is becoming, Jesus is the One who worked harder. Jesus is the One who suffered. My part is to believe and help others believe so salvation might come to their homes as well. It’s by His power, not mine. I only have what He puts in me. God calls us. THEN He equips us for the work He decided long ago was for us. Yes, He is God and we are not.

Knowing this Paul reminds Timothy to be BOLD with his honest faith and to not be shy with the gifts God has given us!

“So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all HIS idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now.”

“Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.” 2 Timothy:1, Msg

When we get whiny in the work, we need this reminder that the real work has already been done by Jesus. AND we need to realize, when our humanness of self importance slips into our work, that God doesn’t really NEED us to do this work but He calls us, invites us, then equips us to join Him so that we might grow up, mature, and then help others to do the same. It’s not about us. WHAT A PRIVILEGE! What an opportunity to grow to be more and more like Jesus every time He invites us to His work! Wow, think about it…we are working for the King of kings and LORD of lords. It’s not about us…at all.

“So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.” 2 Timothy:1 Msg

Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive us for thinking we are more important than someone else, or worse yet, than You! Yikes, we do not want that at all. We love You. Our one desire is for You to have the run of our “house”, our hearts, minds and souls. Thank You for Your work on the cross, Your unconditional love, mercy and grace. Now, we ask that You put Your power through us to tell Your Story, not ours, boldly to others. In Jesus Name, Amen.