Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. --1 Corinthians 3:5-9
To My Girls,
If you ever get the idea that you are something or that your ministry is special remember how Paul spoke of himself and his fellow workers in Christ...Who is Paul? Who is Apollos? Truly he saw himself as an instrument used by God...nothing more. Paul was a bond servant for Christ's sake, preaching not himself but Jesus.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.--2nd Corinthians 4:5
One plants...One waters...God gives the increase. The power and growth are from God. We are simply His workers performing our assigned tasks. It is God who gives our efforts life.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. --1 Corinthians 15:10-11
God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
Remembering that I am nothing and can do nothing outside of Him is very helpful because it reminds us to relax and enter into His rest. 1 Corinthians 4 tells us that ministers or stewards of God are required to be faithful to their Master. We do not have to be rocket scientists....we don't even have to be successful...we are just required to be faithful to carry out the responsibilities the Lord gives us. No striving required. His Spirit brings life to our efforts as we surrender and obey. We all have different gifts but the same Spirit and the same purpose...to glorify our Father in heaven and carry out the work that He has given us to do. Work hard knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord, be faithful knowing that He who called you is faithful and will complete the good work He began in you, promote unity in the body of Christ and keep your eye on the prize!
Closing with one of my favorite verses in Scripture...
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.--Psalm 127:1
Love
Mom
