Bible Passage: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-17
My friend’s garage is a woodworker’s dream.
He has a table saw, a planer, a bandsaw, a router, and a lathe. He also has every handheld tool I can imagine. He let me work in there, and it was fantastic.
Not only did he have everything in place, but he maintained everything. Blades were sharpened. Machines were oiled. Surfaces were cleaned. And the entire shop was equipped with a stellar dust collection system. It was his desire that everything worked to its fullest potential.
We belong in God’s garage, and it is God’s desire that we are able to work to our fullest potential as well.
How does He do that?
The primary way that we can be of maximum use is to abide in Christ.
Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV).
It is in the process of remaining that we are restored, repaired, and perfected.
Too often, if you’re like me, you will try to do all kinds of good things while only spending minimal time with Jesus.
Brothers, that simply won’t work.
Have you tried to cut down a tree with a dull chainsaw blade?
Have you tried to take out a Phillips screw when the head of your Phillips screwdriver is rounded off?
Have you tried to carve out a divot when your chisel is unsharpened?
I mean, you can keep going—the tool will keep making minuscule changes—but if you pause using the tool and, instead, work on it and hone it, it will function like it was meant to function and accomplish perfectly what it was meant to accomplish.
Let’s spend more time in the Presence of Christ, allowing Him to perfect us. He will form us to look and be more like Him. He loves to do this.
In fact, Jesus went on to say that it is “to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
Prayer: Dear Lord, I can easily think that I can just keep going without any wear and tear on me, both physically and spiritually. I love being used by You for Your kingdom work, but I forget that I need You to hone me and sharpen me. It is only in Your Presence that I am fully prepared to be useful. That is where I am restored. That is where I am reminded that You know me the best and what I need the most. And that is where I am most aware of Your astounding love for me. Help me to abide. Help me to remain. Amen.
Reflection: What is your habit of quiet time with Jesus? Is it a place where you linger and surrender yourself to Him to mold you and shape you into who you were meant to be? Is it a place where you have time to listen to His voice and discover His plan for you each day? How can you create space for Him in this way today?
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