Mine or HIS?
A simple question, but for me, it gave me some serious pause this past week. As we continue in this series of devotions… “I wrote it in my journal like this…”, well, that was the question I wrote for myself.
Context is always helpful, so here’s the one verse that stopped me in my tracks and led me to write… Mine or HIS?
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.”
1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)
I’m guessing I’ve read this verse on MANY occasions before, but never before has it caused so much pause for me. Maybe you’ve noticed this as well, but often, it’s easy to read scripture and ‘gloss over’ certain verses because they don’t seem all that important. Well, I think I’ve done that with 1 Timothy 1:12 before but this time, the LORD slowed me down long enough to be confronted with the question…
Mine or HIS?
The work that Paul was doing… not easy.
The opposition to the work Paul was doing… it was intense.
The demands placed on Paul… a bit overwhelming.
But in one short verse, Paul lets Timothy know that he’s not only thankful for the work that has been entrusted to him, but it’s not really him working… it’s the STRENGTH of the LORD working through him.
Mine or HIS?
What the LORD challenged me on this past week had everything to do with strength… am I trying to do what I’m doing in my strength or His?
When I meet with people… mine or HIS?
When I write sermons… mine or HIS?
When I write devotionals (like this)… mine or HIS?
When I’m with my wife and kids… mine or HIS?
When I’m doing life; mowing the lawn, dishes, laundry… mine or HIS?
I hope you can't relate to this, but if I’m honest, it’s a lot more MINE than HIS. But thankfully, the LORD’S challenge to me was coupled with an INVITATION.
I did not hear the audible voice of the LORD, but in the ways that God speaks to my heart, I heard the voice of my loving Father say…
“Michael, my strength is better.”
Not sure how you might answer the question… Mine or HIS? But if it’s more ‘mine’ than ‘HIS’, I think the LORD would want you to know that His strength is better.
In work…
At home…
With day-to-day tasks…
Join me in praying…
“LORD, let it be your strength in this moment, not mine.”
