He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, I thank You this morning for salvation that is mine through Your precious sacrifice. I thank You that You saw fit to suffer sin and shame on my behalf, removing from me that which I deserve in order that I might be with You for eternity. And not only that, You could have called me home to be with You, which is my deepest desire. But instead You have determined that I shall remain here, on this earth, to satisfy Your purposes for my life.
Master, that is what truly amazes me most. I know who I am. When I look at what I bring to the table, I know it is not much. There are those who are infinitely better. Frankly, I honestly don’t see what You see in me. I am not that good. What’s more, I believe You would be better served calling on someone else. I know how bad I really am and how short I truly fall.
Yet, You saw me, chose me, set me apart, and are using me in spite of me. Who does such a thing? Who takes scraps and makes a meal for a king? Who takes hand-me-downs and clothes themselves in them for a banquet? Who takes broken-down garbage furniture and places it in a palace? Yet, that is what You have done with me! I am not worthy to be called to be part of Your family. I have fallen so short. Frankly, my name should be “Can’t Get Right” because I cannot seem to get it right. And yet YOU have patience with me. YOU are always there to pick me up, clean me up and set me on the right path. YOU love me in spite of me. YOU have set Your purposes for me. Who is like You, Lord?
So today, all I can say is thank You and use me. Thank You for seeing in me what I don’t often see in myself. Thank You for being for me what I cannot be for myself. And thank You for having faith in me when I, honestly, don’t have faith in myself. All I do and am able to do is because of You.
So it is my prayer that You would use me today to make a difference in the lives of those I come into contact with. Enable me by Your Spirit to touch somebody’s life that they might know that You see them just as You showed me You see me. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for calling me Your own. Now please fulfill Your purposes in me today to Your glory. Amen.