Daily Devotional for August 16, 2018
How Dirty We Are!
“I like being with you, Grandma,” Gail said as she sprayed more cleaner onto her rag.
“It’s nice having you visit again,” said Grandma. “Miss Cindy was glad for your help with the younger children at youth camp. She wondered if you’d be interested in leading the children’s class at church this week.” She picked up a knick-knack to clean and winked. “You might become a great youth leader someday.”
Gail lowered her head. “I don’t know. I’m not sure God can use me for anything. I’m not always good, and my stubbornness gets me into trouble a lot.”
“Hmm.” Grandma gazed down at the picture frame she was now holding as she slowly wiped the glass.
“Oh, Grandma, look!” Gail giggled when she showed Grandma her soiled rag. “This shelf got really dusty since we cleaned it last.”
“My goodness!” Grandma chuckled. “I guess we’ve been shedding a lot of skin around here lately. It reminds me how God can make great things out of dirt.”
“What do you mean?” asked Gail.
“Well, doesn’t the Bible say we were made from the dust of the earth?” Grandma asked. Gail nodded. “That means we’re made of dirt,” Grandma said.
After the last shelf was cleaned and everything was put back, Grandma tapped her chin with her finger. “You know, Gail, if God can use dirt to make something as beautiful and miraculous as a human being, just think what He can do with our nasty faults and filthy mistakes.”
“Like what?” Gail plopped onto the couch.
“God can use them in a way that brings Him glory,” Grandma said, nestling into her rocker. “None of us is good on our own—that’s why we need Jesus. When we trust in Him, He uses us and transforms us—flaws and all. He can take our flaws and make them valuable to His kingdom.” She smiled at Gail. “Like using someone’s stubborn streak to make them a strong spiritual leader who won’t back down when faced with difficulty, for example.”
“I never thought of it like that,” said Gail. She smiled back at Grandma. “Maybe I’ll help Miss Cindy out with the smaller children after all!” – Beth Anne Ingram
How about you?
Do you think God can’t use you because of your ugly flaws or past failures? Guess what—He can! He doesn’t waste or throw anything away, but finds a way to put it to good use. As He works in your life and makes you more like Him, He uses your flaws to develop qualities in you that help others and bring Him glory. Trust Him to use every part of you for good.
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