FOR WE ARE GOD’S HANDIWORK, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO. - EPHESIANS 2:10
Sometimes when we think about doing, "God's work," self-doubt can get the better of us. We will tell ourselves that we aren't smart or skilled enough; we remember all our skipped prayer times and say, "The Lord wouldn't want to use me since I've been ignoring Him. Besides, my work probably isn't worth that much anyway in the big picture, if I don't completely mess up."
In Ephesians 2, Paul emphasizes that we weren't saved because of anything we had to offer, but we received God's gift of salvation through faith. He made us anew in Christ "to do good work" (vs. 10); we can't brag about deserving salvation, and we can't brag about our good works being our big idea either! God planned them for us ahead of time to fit in with His perfect plan.
We may fear that our errors will "ruin" what God has going on. Consider that the work itself is a gift—the all-powerful Creator chooses to use us—ordinary believers—to accomplish mighty things. Throughout the Bible, we read stories of remarkable people doing amazing things for the Lord, because they trusted in His strength to do them. If God has work for us, we can have confidence that He will equip us for the job, no matter the challenges ahead.
Let's pray:
Father God, please strengthen me to do the work You have planned for me. Help me to depend on Your ability and strength when I doubt myself. Amen.
