For many years I thought that I was capable of accomplishing the work that only God can do. I believed that all I needed to do was discover certain formulas, follow successful role models, set the right goals and develop the right methods to produce the results He wanted from me. Now I realize that there is nothing I can do, contrive, improvise or achieve in my own strength. I can imitate and pretend some things but I am only deceiving myself. It is all an illusion. I am absolutely dependent on Him for everything. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I am powerless and incapable of doing anything without Him. I thank God for the privilege and freedom He has given me to walk with Him and abide in Christ. I pray that He will always keep me mindful of how needful I am of His mercy and grace to be the person He wants me to be.
“Abide in me, and I will abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-9