My Life Verse

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My Life Verse

1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

When I was a young teen I didn’t like myself very much. I felt that I was too tall, my feet were too big, I was too shy . . . you name it, I didn’t like it!

It was about that time that I came upon today’s verse. Even as a young girl I recognized that God had made me the way I was and that by His grace my body and my personality were all gifts from Him. Yet, somewhere deep inside I wasn’t happy. It wasn’t that I blamed God. It was actually a relief to know that I was who I was because He made me that way and not because of my failing.
I latched onto the next part of the verse that says, “. . . I worked harder than the rest of them . . .” I figured that was the key to changing how I felt about myself. I would work harder than anyone else to become what I thought I should be.
Since I really couldn’t change my shoe size, I started trying really hard to develop my spiritual maturity and my personality. I read books like How to Win Friends and Influence People so that I would feel more comfortable developing relationships with people. I read my Bible and prayed often. Though I tried to work very hard at everything I did, there was still something missing.
It wasn’t until a number of years later that I really recognized the importance of the rest of the verse. The truth hit me – though it is important to work hard and do the right things, the apostle Paul was pointing out that our personal growth is not of our making, but through God’s grace and through His working in us.
Working hard to read, pray, and learn are important disciplines that God uses to change us, but the actual change is not of ourselves. It is a work that only He can do in us as He puts us through tests of faith and circumstances through which we can choose to obey and trust Him.
I have come to love this verse more and more as the truth has penetrated my heart. I am glad that God made me the way I am. And though I still desire to work harder than anyone else in my own personal growth, I understand that He Who has begun a good work in me is the One Who will finish that good work by His grace.
Consider these things if you are unhappy with areas of your life. Remember that God saw you before you were even born and knit you together in the exact way that you could best serve Him. Work hard to seek Him, know Him, and obey Him. But remember that He is the One Who will do the hard work of growing you to be like Him.

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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