What God desires

Years ago, I read a book called “Shadow of the Almighty” which recorded many of the thoughts of a missionary named Jim Elliot.

It was probably one of the most influential books I have ever read in my life and has shaped my thinking in so many ways over the years.

As I read today’s passage about Mary and Martha, I thought once again of something that Elliot said that impacted me then and impacts me to this day.

How well I see now that He is wanting to do something in me!

So many missionaries, intent on doing something, forget that His main work is to make something of them, not just to do a work by their stiff and bungling fingers.

In short, God is not so interested in what I can do. He is interested in me.

So often we forget that. We think we have to impress him by what we do.

But while certainly God desires to work through us, let us never forget that he is more interested in us than what he can do through us.

And so I pray with Elliot,

Teach me, Lord Jesus, to live simply and love purely, like a child, and to know that You are unchanged in Your attitudes and actions toward me.