Not Me!

Not Me! 

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 AMP

In every life on earth, there is a work in progress initiated by God. At the time you were born, you may not know it, but God doesn't make lives for which He has no plans. Let it be known today that no man, no matter how smart or savvy can conclusively determine what the future holds. We can take steps and plan for the future but God has the prerogative on how my life will turn out. This is why the discovery and pursuit of the purpose for which I was born becomes life's most important achievement. 

If God is all powerful then, why does He hold me responsible for my actions?  If He is free to mess up my plans so He can institute better ones, why do I bother making the plans then? I believe today's extract helps shed some light. It is a measure of submission and cooperation at the same time. It is a measure of dependence and guided effort at the same time. God works, yet He demands I also work. 

How do God's work and mine correlate? God knows I do not have the strength or wisdom to effectively plan for the future, so He provides guidance and leadership that will help me as I plan. He supplies all I need to succeed, but then, He does not go against the exercise of my freewill. His work in me makes me His own, and wakes up in me a desire to obey and honour Him. 

But then I must act on the lessons I have received. Of what value is a life that has been given help by God, yet neglects to take advantage of that help? How do I become all that God wants if I do not at least find out what it takes to begin the journey of achieving all that God has created, gifted and placed me for? God does the provision of grace, strength and power to do all that He commands, and I must supply the rest by making myself available for God to use as He pleases.

And long before men will applaud the work they see on the outside, God has to first do His work inside me. When the work inside me is settled, outward impact is non-negotiable. And it is called a work, because it takes time and effort, as well as my cooperation. Let me not focus on outward impact which is empty of the inner change that God's Spirit is able to birth and sustain. I place my hands in God's own, where I know He is able to make me all that He plans. His time of favour is here.