Inspirational Thought of the Day:

Each one of us is a vibrant color God uses to paint His purposes in this world. Be Who He made you to be.

Scripture of the Day:

1 Corinthians 3:5-7

“What is Apollos, really? Or what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, and each of us in the ministry the Lord gave us. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow. 7 So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work.

1 Corinthians 3:18

“Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.”

I am not sure which study I had heard this saying from many years ago, but the phrase, “painting water with Jesus” still makes me smile. Memories of my children fill my mind, of them wanting to join me in work I was doing that I knew they could not do, but I gave them a little part that they could handle. The joy and self-worth that beamed on their faces as they joined me in my work was so palpable, evident by their big grins, filling their precious faces.

So it is with God. We would like to think that what we do is significant, but in reality, it means nothing if it is not done with the Father. When we join God in His work rather than trying to have Him join us in ours, He is glorified and His work accomplishes eternal purposes.

Sometimes we make a mess of things down here, each one trying to paint what they want others to see, perhaps trying to paint for our own glory. Maybe people judge our work and find it lacking. Or perhaps it is comparison with others in general that rears its ugly head.

But God has space for each one to paint alongside Him. Each one of us is a vibrant color God uses to paint His purposes in this world. Be Who He made you to be. Don’t compare to the other servant of God next to you. Don’t try to live this life independent of God. Just paint water next to Him and watch Him reach the hurting around you.

I loved watching my children’s delight when they had accomplished something they were proud of. Sometimes we, too, are filled with joy inexpressible and are pleased with the work of our hands. But it is in remembering where every single talent and every gift we steward and utilize, comes from that we recognize we are just vessels that God fills and uses for His glory, not our own.

So, follow me as I follow Jesus. May we sit at His feet and learn and never think that we outgrow our need of being dependent upon Him for everything. Maturity in Christ is different than maturity in the world. We want our children to become independent in this world, and this is healthy. But in Christ, as we mature, we see our great need of God and the need to be ever near to Him.

We were never meant to depend on man, but on our great God who uses man to serve His people and His purposes. We were created to be in fellowship with our God who lets us paint water beside Him and causes the growth others see in our lives.

Lord, it is You alone Who causes things to grow and accomplishes anything of worth in our lives. Help us to never lose sight of this truth and to yearn to be by Your side painting water with and for You.