Meditation for Perfectionists – Tuesday September 26, 2023

Plant, Water, and Grow

1 Corinthians 3:1-10: “The Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. …each will be rewarded according to his own labor” (vv.5-6, 8).

“I can’t do everything!” protested the overworked Vacation Bible School director. And she is right. God does not plan for one individual to perform all the tasks.

Some of us believe we should be able to accomplish everything — and do it perfectly. We may think if we just try harder, God will surely grant us the strength to carry on. However, it is not God’s intention that we be one-man achievement squads. Each one of us has specific tasks to do that correspond directly with our talents and gifts. We need not do more than is humanly possible. God’s design is that we work together to plant and water the process. Then he produces the growth. This is God’s way to avoid overcommitment, disillusionment, exhaustion and burnout in the local church or any other human endeavor.

Lord, help me to remember I need only do my part.
Itπs not my responsibility to do it all.
Even when others fail to complete their job,
I will remain true to your plan and let you work it out.
I give the process and the result to you.

Copyright Joan C. Webb

For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com