Last weekend as we prepared for a day at the lake, one of my friends decided to commit to the task of preparing a variety of desserts to bring. Enjoying baking myself, I was asked to come over and bring my tools, but I received strict instructions to “let her do it.” When the cupcakes were iced, the cheesecake was in the fridge, and the mango loaves were cooling on a rack, she jokingly announced, “I’m so happy that I did this without you, because now when everyone sees how wonderful it is, I can tell them that I did it all myself.” We laughed about her “humility” and then enjoyed the treats the next day at the lake.
This morning as I spend time in God’s Word, my friend’s actions help me to understand our Lord even better. Numerous times in Scripture we are referred to as a planting, a tree, or a branch, always as something that produces life when firmly rooted to a Source. In Isaiah 60:21, God calls His people “a branch that I planted, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.”
Just as my friend completed her task without me and received all the credit, God also does what He does in my life without my assistance or input and I, in turn, must give Him all the glory.
With all of this in mind, I would do well to remember the words of Jesus in John 15 when He calls me to remain in Him so that I produce much fruit, and to also remember that none of this fruit grows apart from Him. This is not from me; I don’t get the credit. (Eph. 2:9)
We are something He did Himself for the sole purpose of bringing Him glory, and He will not give that glory to another (Isa. 42:8).
Oh what joy and abundance he brings when we allow him to use our hands, feet and mouths. Praise God, Amen.
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