April 22

I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them. — Isa 42:16 BSB

God often leads us to good things through ways that seem dark to us. He can take what’s crooked and make it straight. Sometimes, we’ll find that the very things we regret or consider mistakes end up being the best parts of our lives. We do our best and sometimes feel like we fail, but God sees the love and desire to please Him in our efforts. These simple efforts may bring Him more joy than the most polished work because they’re not tainted by pride.

Sometimes, God uses our smallest, most humble attempts to achieve more than our grandest efforts. Self-consciousness can ruin our work. Often, the things we do that make us proud don’t impress our Master, while the work we think is insignificant can accomplish great things when God is in it. The less “self” there is in what we do, the more room there is for God, and it’s His presence that gives our work value.