For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
-Philippians 2:13
Daughter, I know you struggled with that verse today.
It’s okay to struggle with the Word sometimes. You are human, and sometimes you don’t understand.
Remember that you always have the desire to do what pleases you – again, you are human.
But the desire to please me can take some time.
I’m teaching you this. I’m always teaching you this.
And yes, I will give you the desires of your heart.
But let’s look at your heart first.
Does it want to serve me or serve you?
Don’t you think I need someone to serve me where you are?
See.
That’s hard for you to ponder. Hard for you to hear. You don’t want to serve there.
Remember how I said I was teaching you to think differently?
Think about Jeremiah. Think about Daniel. Think about Moses.
Did they always like where they were assigned?
Think about Jonah and Joseph.
Did they like serving me where they were?
I put you in places where you’ll be different, but I give you people who aren’t so different to help.
Your sisters. Your family. Your children. Your friends.
Places and riches and things are made by man, but you, daughter, are made by me.
Don’t think for a second that you are less than what man makes or that it has to influence you.
Don’t think that you must conform or belong.
I put you here not to belong but to show my light.
Show them who I am, even if you think they won’t care or it won’t do any good.
Daniel was just a man, but with me, he was more. Same with the others.
Look at what they did. Look at how they showed my glory for generations to see, for you to see.
Think of these deep things, and try to understand.
Think of how I am working on your behalf, wherever you are.
And don’t forget the things that bring you joy without you even having to try.
I give those to you as a gift.
The hard things are a gift, too.
You’ll see it.
Just give yourself time.
Listen to me.
Trust me.
Rest in me.
See Genesis 39; Exodus 3 and 4; Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; Psalm 37:4 and 139:13-16; Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 1; Daniel 1 and 6; Jonah 1, 2, 3 and 4; Matthew 5:16 and 28:16-20; Luke 9:23-24; Romans 8:28 and 12:2; Galatians 6:9; Philippians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 6:10-12; James 1:2-4
These links share just a glimpse of the story God is telling us. When you have time, read a chapter or two around the verses to get the context and see the whole picture. My preferred Bible translation is the New Living Translation, so all links will be in that version.
