John 5:17, English Standard Verse

“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.'”

Recently, in the middle of the night, I woke up and I prayed and while I was praying, I had a thought… wait a minute, somewhere on earth right now it is daytime. There are believers serving even when I am sleeping. Oh, our Lord God almighty never stops working. He works before we know we need or admit we need help. He works behind the scenes, and He works around the situation and within our inner being.

“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, BSB)

I heard many who like to say, “I am a work in progress.” However, this saying carries a mindset that we are the ones who are working towards God. The truth is this: we are God’s working project; He is the One who is molding us and shaping us. He is the Gardener as His Word mentions, “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].” (John 15:1-2, Amplified Bible)

He molds us and shapes us and so we will be qualified for His good work, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

He prepares us for the good work that He has laid before us all according to His plan determined long ago, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Just as Philippians 2:13 (ESV) says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” In the same way the Lord reminds us, “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19, NIV) as well as, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8, NLT) Listen: “Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love.” (Ephesians 1:4, Amplified Bible)

There is no one who can do and act and fulfill God’s purpose if it is not God’s will and God is not involved. We can partner in this by surrendering our flesh and having a willing heart to say yes to Jesus (Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:58). As His word says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NLT)

Surrender and be humble.