You have gained glory for yourself; you have extended all the borders of the land. (Isa. 26:15)
I had just received confirmation of a new job when I found out I was pregnant. Morning sickness (also known as “all day sickness”) kicked in my first week in the office. I wasn’t ready to reveal my pregnancy, and I needed to impress my new boss and colleagues despite the misery of nonstop nausea.
The task felt impossible, until I landed on today’s verse in Isaiah. In that private moment of devotion, it was like God told me, “I’ve got this.” Did I think I’d arrived at this great moment in my career by the work of my own hand? He had led me there and would not abandon me during this temporary and miraculous time of creation. The same is true of so many parts of our lives, when we forget that we aren’t doing it alone. We don’t cultivate our own blessing—God does.
I continued working diligently in my exhausted state of first trimester pregnancy, and month after month, I hit important goal markers. It felt like my own personal water turning into wine. I’d chosen to believe God’s promise and found peace resting in the work of his hands when mine were slightly incapacitated. Anytime you are tempted to believe success depends on your own greatness, you will eventually fall. Trust in his provision, and he will “enlarge the nation.”
Determine how can you transfer the responsibility, and the glory, to God.
Ericka Andersen is a member of Waterline Church in Fishers, Indiana. She’s a wife and mom to two and enjoys writing, running, and podcasting.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
