Humble Reflection

Devotional for Friday, April 4, 2003 by Anne Russell

Philippians 2:12b-13 - Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (NIV)

Sitting alone in the quiet of my room, I had just picked up a devotional book, one that I had never intended to read. You might think this odd, but as I sat and looked out the window at the softly falling snow, I opened this book to today's date, and read something Mother Teresa wrote: "I am only a pencil in God's hand. God writes through us, and however imperfect instruments we may be, God writes beautifully."

This thought made a deep impression on me, because I had intended, when I bought this book, not to read it, but to find ideas for a devotional book of my own. I then realized that it wouldn't really be my own, but would only express God's words given to me.

As His servants, we all need to look at how we express God's word and do the work that He gives to each one of us. Whatever it is and however we strive to do it, we are to do His will, and to remember that, if we succeed, it is not we who should get puffed up, for it is God who guides us along our way.

Perfection is certainly not ours, for only God is perfect, but if we yield to Him in all we do, perfection will shine through. Let us remember, and let it burn in our souls, that it is not we who shine, but the Master who is at work in us.

Prayer: Almighty and everlasting Father, we come to You this day in humility, asking only that You use us as Your instruments to work for You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Anne Russell <anbrussell@rogers.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

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