Years ago, I wrote an article and I forgot to sign it. I didn’t notice it, but my mother-in-law did. She told me that she knew it was my article, because she knows how I write. God inspired me with two points from this.
1. It doesn’t really matter that my name was left out, because the thing that I really want people to get is not me. God is the only thing that matters. He is the only one who can change lives and make a lasting impression. I do like writing and have even had a few poems published. (Bet you didn’t know that!) But what really excites me is to see someone get a spiritual nugget that they will carry and apply to their everyday life.
“But, ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Cor. 10:17-18. These verses say exactly what I am trying to get you to see today. God is the one whom I am trying to please. He holds the opinion of my work that really matters. I am not out to make a name for myself. My God is the only thing I want you to see.
This verse holds the key for us. The key to giving glory where glory is due. If we do anything that has any worth to it, it is because of God inside of us. The moment we even think that we had anything to do with something that turns out well is the very moment we start boasting in ourselves. It is also the moment when we are no longer approved by God. It’s sad, but you can see this in church, people who are desperate to be recognized. They end up talking about what they did…for God… Was it really for God?
2. My mother-in-law recognized my writing. This is my second point. How did she know my writing? She reads my articles. That sounds simple enough. She knew what I wrote and recognized it as my words because she has been reading what I write for some time now. I can promise you that she would know my article from another, even if none of the names of the authors were listed. You are probably waiting to see where I am going with this. My mother-in-law (Hi Joyce) knows my writing because of the style that I write in but also, more importantly, because she know my heart. I recently heard from Shelley Creeger when she spoke at our Homecoming service, that God’s word is full of His love for us. It was a great reminder for all of us. His Word is one giant love letter to us. We can also know His heart through reading His Word. So how did Joyce know my writing? How do we know the difference between the Word of God from others who have great sayings? You know God’s Word when you read it; that’s obvious. But you also KNOW God’s Word when you KNOW His heart.
If there is a time when you did something and did not receive any credit, it’s OK! Really it is. If we are to take credit for anything, it is God inside of us. SO it’s still not us. Do you get it?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
God Bless!
PRay…you probably already know that 🙂
