PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.

TO PONDER

Too often we think that joy comes in autonomy and freedom to do whatever we want. In fact, it is the opposite which is more true. God created us to live under him and to work alongside himself. We fulfil our purpose and so find real joy in a fulfilled purpose as we seek to serve God and show his love and care to others.

It really should not surprise us. Most of us feel a sense of joy, pride or accomplishment at the sight of a job well done. After all, we were created to be productive, to have purpose and meaning. Yet we often look for that purpose and meaning in all the wrong places, wanting to determine the purpose and meaning of our own lives for ourselves, rather than submitting to the good will and purposes of God for our lives.

If you want a life of purpose and joy, there is no better plan than to put your life in the hands of the one who created it in the first place and see what He wants to do with it. There could be not greater purpose than to be a part of God's eternal plan and purpose.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you know that living in the will of God the Father is not always easy. Help me to recognise the joy that comes from serving and following you, even when the path ahead does not look pleasant, help me to trust that your plans for me are good. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle