2 Cor 8:5 …They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
I am way more of a perfectionist than I care to admit. I just always want to be sure that whatever I do, it is absolutely as good as I can possibly make it. But to truly give myself “first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to” others means letting Him use me as He sees fit, and I know that my amazing Savior can work miracles through my messes. He doesn’t want my perfection. He wants all of me, even the things that fall (by my estimation) way short of the mark.
2 Cor 8:7 But since you excel in everything…. see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
God’s been working on my heart with this scripture for a while, and I am convinced that His message to me in this is to give Him everything, to hold nothing back, even the things I deem not good enough or not worthy of Him. He doesn’t just want my best. He doesn’t need my perfection. He wants all of me. Everything.
2 Cor 8:11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for urging me to hold nothing back from You and for using even the things I see as messes. Help me to give You my all, always, to hold nothing back, even if it doesn’t feel good enough. You want my whole heart, Lord. Help me to give it willingly. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Cor 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.