Daily Devotion

“What God is looking for is not a great work, but the right person. If the person is wrong, no matter how great the work, it is just straw and stubble in God's eyes; if the person is right, even the smallest service is like gold and silver. Because what God wants is not what you do for Him, but what He reveals through you.”

Watchman Nee · The Ministry of the Word of God

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:7 We have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the immense power of it may be from God and not from ourselves.

Reflection

We often fall into the misconception that we must mold ourselves into exquisite, perfect porcelain to be worthy of God's service. However, God's word reminds me that we are essentially humble, fragile, and easily broken "earthenware vessels." The focus of service is never how strong or great the vessel is, but rather the "treasure" contained within us—Jesus Christ. When I feel exhausted at work, or when I am preoccupied with gains and losses in service, or crave human approval, it is often because I have appropriated God's power for myself, allowing my "self" to take the Lord's place. A true person is one who willingly acknowledges their own limitations and makes room for the Lord to manifest. Small acts of service, if they come from the Lord, are gold, silver, and precious stones; grand works, if they come from the flesh, are nothing but grass, wood, and stubble.