17 But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
As many of you know, this past year has been a real struggle for me. God has placed greater challenges before me than at any other time in my life. The death of a loved one. The illness of a child. Financial troubles. Fear over an uncertain future. Concern for a wayward child. New responsibilities. Intricate teamwork.
Yet, He has also been richly blessing me with new experiences and insights into who He is, and with life-long dreams accomplished. It can be easy at times to think that our accomplishments are because of all the hard work and effort we put into them.
I would never have achieved the rank of 1st degree black belt if it weren’t for the years I spent drilling techniques, pushing my body to greater lengths, and overcoming mental and emotional stressors.
Yet, my life is not about me. It’s about God, and what He can accomplish through someone, even as weak as I am. At least, that’s what it’s supposed to be about. And my life is more richly blessed when I follow God’s intent. When I live my life as if it’s all about me, my life is meaningless. When I live it as if it’s all about Him, great things happen.
The same is true of our writing. When we cling to a thought, theme or words that we write without filtering t through what God desires to share through us, it’s all about us. And that’s the wrong viewpoint to take. That way leads emptiness at best, and sorrow and heartache at the worst.
If we allow our writing and our accomplishments to reflect His work in us and through us, we bring Him greater glory. What better work can we do in this life than to point the way to Him?
He is the narrow gate. No one comes to the Father, except through Christ.
Let your writing today, and in the days to come, reflect God’s work in you and Christ’s redemption of you. In this way, God will bless the work of your hands and commend you for being His instrument.
There is so much more satisfaction in introducing another to Christ and to the ways of God than there is in seeking glory for ourselves. Any glory we achieve for ourselves is short-lived. Accolades we receive here will not be received again in heaven. However, serving as a reflection of God’s work in and through us is a life-changing experience.
Therefore, allow your writing to be directed by God. When you should write, when you should sleep, and what you should say.
