The Unwrapping

Scripture: Philippians 2:13 (KJV, 1908)

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God gives us a heart to love people through giving us His love to love ourselves; which is not always an easy task for us to do, because we can be very hard on ourselves. We become concerned about things that are small in the sight of God; things that distract us from the very purpose that He created us for.

He knows exactly what He is doing; but we take on concerns for things that He should be in charge of. We worry about the things in our past, the things that we've done, and the things that we should have done. We regret the way that we acted, or the lack of our actions. We worry about the state of the economy, and how in the world we're going to get out of the mess that the entire world is going through.

We're concerned about our means, and the lack that we see in front of us every single day. So many things go through our minds, as to why we're not further along in life than we think that we should be. Sometimes we feel that we're treading water in an empty pool.

But God is the source of all the questions in our mind. He is the answer to all of our entire why's, what's, when's, where's and how's. He is the One who is ultimately in total control of the making of our character, the desire of our heart, and the fulfilling of our purpose.

Everything in our past and everything in our future is wrapped up in Him. In order for us to get to the gift that is in us; that needs to be delivered to the world on the behalf of our creator, we have to spend time with the one who fashioned and designed us in His image. Spending time with Him is a privilege for us to learn what He has in store for us.

We are gifts of potential and purpose who are waiting to be unwrapped by the hands of the almighty God. Once He knows that we are ready to step out of the box of our own way of thinking, and fully trust Him for the work that He has already done, He will indeed be glorified within us.

Reflection:
Try not to be so hard on yourself, because Jesus truly loves you so much! He knows exactly what He is doing, in and through you. Do not linger in failures and regrets, because they are mere bridges to your future. Learn to be at peace with the God of peace living on the inside of you, to do His will and His good pleasure.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank you that I know you are working on behalf of the purpose that you have placed within me. I thank you that I am a gift that is in expectation of being unwrapped for your glory, honor and praise. I will no longer linger in the past of regret, but I will bask in your presence of change. I thank you, and I glorify you with every breath in my body, because you alone are worthy. In Jesus Name, I Pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

God - 2316
1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities

2) the Godhead, trinity
a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity
b) Christ, the second person of the trinity
c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity

3) spoken of the only and true God
a) refers to the things of God
b) his counsels, interests, things due to him

4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
a) God's representative or viceregent

1) of magistrates and judges

Worketh - 1754
1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power

a) to work for one, aid one

2) to effect
3) to display one's activity, show one's self operative

Will - 2309
1) to will, have in mind, intend

a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose
b) to desire, to wish
c) to love

1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
d) to take delight in, have pleasure

Do - 1754
1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power

a) to work for one, aid one

2) to effect
3) to display one's activity, show one's self operative

Of - 5228
1) in behalf of, for the sake of

2) over, beyond, more than
3) more, beyond, over

His Good Pleasure - 2107
1) will, choice

a) good will, kindly intent, benevolence

2) delight, pleasure, satisfaction
3) desire
a) for delight in any absent thing easily produces longing for it

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Paul's Epistle - Philippians 1 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 6 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Phl&c=1&t=KJV >

Higgins, S. (2009). The Unwrapping. Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://devotionsforthought.blogspot.com