There I was on this faithful day, sited in a comfortable seat of this gigantic “flying machine” (Plane) gazing at the clouds and imagining; How great is the God who created all these! What a beautiful God who made the skies so beautiful, who created technology and made it easy and possible for people to move from one angle of the earth to another. Thinking to myself, who am I to deserve the favor, the opportunity to see and experience the beauty of the creators hands. Then I asked, how do I say thank you? How do I show my gratitude? To whom do I give the credit?
You know many at times people move around daily hustling and bustling, trying all they can to make ends meet, to be at the top, to make riches, to find fame, comfort, recognition, acceptance and appreciation. When we work our energy and strength out, at the end we ask ourselves, have I been successful? Have I met my goal? Has my target been hit? If so, why? How? Who takes the credit?. If not, why not? Didn’t I work hard enough? Who do I blame?
When I move around I hear so many people say. Oh! Go girl! You’ve done it! You worked hard and you’ve made it! Congratulations! You deserve it! Your hard work has paid off. But then really?! I ask myself, is it really my hard work and efforts that caused me to make it up to this point? I find myself miles away from my country, from my home, seeing and experiencing so many new and beautiful things, having great opportunities, seeing my dreams come true, so many things happening to me for which I am thankful and glad. The question however is, is it how hard I worked, is it the effort I put in, are they the sleepless nights I had working that brought me this far? Who actually takes the credit? I won’t say I take the credit 100%, I won’t even want to give myself the credit because I see so many people on a daily basis doing same like me. Putting in all their efforts, their energy and all they’ve got in order to succeed but end up not getting the results they desired. Some people actually succeed and get to their goal and hit their target after their hard work. So, for those who succeed, is it so because they worked so hard? Because they are more righteous? Or more favored? And should take all the credit? Definitely not!
So then who takes the credit? I would say our most high God, the creator of all things and the final decision maker. It’s all about Him, He decides and He makes things happen just at the right time. One person might put in all the hard work and the opportunities pass him by, while another takes hold of all the opportunities and meets his goals. The Bible says; Not by might nor by power but by my spirit…..(Zac 4:6). It’s all about Gods unmerited favor, His Mercy and Love. Therefore I say, God Deserves and should take all the credit for our successes. We should rely on him alone in all our endeavors, appreciate Him for all successes and Trust Him through all failures, He is always in control and makes all things beautiful at its time …(Eccl 3:11). His favor locates anyone at His own timing and His love is for all. God created everything and all belongs to Him.. all things were created by Him and for Him…(Col 1:16) so he deserves all the credit.
How then can we ascribe all credit to Him? Two ways….
Say it and Do it.
Say it to the world, your neighbors, friends and family. Tell people what God has done for you, tell people how marvelously God has been working in your life, tell them that it’s not by your efforts but it’s by His love and Grace. Refuse to take the credit but give it to God at all times, edify others and encourage them to rely on God only, giving Him all the credit.
Ascribe credit to God by your actions, loving others in perseverance (remember 1cor 13:4a; Love is patient….), sacrifice for others, bless others in your giving; blessed is he who gives than he who receives.
In all these am I saying Hard work has no place or role to play? By no means! Hard work is necessary, essential and fundamental. It is required and it is helpful. Without hard work, you wouldn’t get much done. God Himself is not a lazy God. In two instances in the book of Proverbs it says; “a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:10-11, Proverbs 24:33-34).
But the bottom line is, hard work alone cannot be given all the credit for on its own, it cannot guarantee success. Adding a little hard work to a mighty faith and gratitude will do the trick! But God who makes it all happen deserves the Credit.
Remain blessed
Melie Pechue