Fellow Workers in the Hands of God
A simple tool resting in the hand that guides it, reminding us of the Spirit’s gentle work through yielded hearts.
Devotional Source: David Kuykendall, Living in the Garden of Grace
Photo Credit: Unsplash
The heart of David Kuykendall’s writing reminds us that the Christian life is never fueled by human effort. It is the Father working, Jesus working, and the Spirit expressing their life through us as we yield. Kuykendall points us back to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, where Paul calls himself “nothing”, then in the next breath calls himself a “fellow worker”. That can sound confusing at first, but as Kuykendall shows, Paul is not contradicting himself. He is revealing the beautiful pattern of life in the Spirit.
Paul planted. Apollos watered. But it was God who gave the increase. God initiated the work. God supplied the power. God produced the fruit. Yet He also invited Paul and Apollos to participate as vessels through whom He would express His will. Kuykendall helps us see that this is the privilege of every child of God. When we live from our new creation identity, resting in the indwelling Jesus, the Father works through us. We find ourselves participating in what He is doing, not as achievers, but as willing, yielded ones.
I appreciate Kuykendall’s gentle reminder that Jesus lived this same pattern. In John’s Gospel, Jesus made it clear that He initiated nothing from Himself. He lived in steady availability to the Father. The Father worked, and Jesus responded. This is the same rhythm the Spirit now forms in us. God initiates, and we respond out of union and rest.
As a fellow traveler on this road, I find Kuykendall’s words incredibly refreshing. They free me from trying to perform for God and draw me into a life where I simply make myself available, knowing that Jesus in me will express what pleases the Father. It is the life of abiding in Jesus. It is the life of quiet trust, letting the Spirit carry the weight of everything the Father wants to accomplish.
What a relief this is. What a joy. What a kindness from the Father who invites us into His work by placing His Son within us as the true source of ministry and fruit.
Journal Entry, Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My beloved, you are never left to carry My work by yourself. I have placed My life within you so that every expression of goodness, mercy, patience, and love flows out of My presence. You are not the source of increase. I am the One who brings life to what is planted and watered. I am the One who moves hearts, opens eyes, and awakens faith. You are simply My vessel, My dearly loved participant in what I am already doing.
You can rest in this. I invite you to live as Jesus lived, available to the Father, attentive to My prompting within you, and confident that the fruit comes from Me. When I lead you into a conversation, I supply the grace for the moment. When I open a door for kindness, I pour My compassion through you. When I give you a word of encouragement, I wrap it in My wisdom so that it builds up rather than burdens.
Do not measure yourself by what you produce. Measure your days by your availability to Me. I am always working, and I have placed you in the flow of My doing. You are My fellow worker, not because you bring power, but because you bring availability. Jesus lived in this rhythm, and now His life is your life. The Father works, Jesus works, and I work within you so that the world sees the glory of God’s grace in action.
Remain in Me today. Let your heart be quiet. Let your trust be steady. Let your surrender be simple. I will do the work through you, and you will find joy in watching My life unfold moment by moment.
Real Life Analogy
Imagine standing at a kitchen counter with a simple wooden spoon in your hand. The spoon cannot mix anything on its own. It has no power and no motion within itself. Yet when a steady hand picks it up and begins to stir, the spoon becomes part of the work. It participates in what the cook is doing. It moves because another is moving it. It blends ingredients because another is guiding it. It accomplishes something meaningful only because it is resting in the hand that holds it.
In much the same way, the Spirit stirs, guides, and moves through us. We are not passive objects, but willing participants, responding to His gentle initiation as He expresses the life of Jesus through us. Today, if you encounter a tense conversation, you can quietly say, “Lord, You are present in me, and I trust You to express Your patience through me right now.” If you meet someone who needs encouragement, you might say, “Lord, I am available, and I trust You to speak kindness through me in this moment.” This is not self effort. This is availability to the Spirit of Jesus who lives within you.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that I do not need to produce anything on my own. You have already given Jesus to live His life within me, and the Spirit to express every good thing You desire. I am grateful that Your work is never dependent on my strength or ability. You supply all that is needed for the moments You place before me. I rest in that. I thank You that I am Your fellow worker, not by effort, but by union. I rejoice that You initiate, You empower, and You bring the increase. I am at peace in Your kindness today.
Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
1 Corinthians 3:5-9, John 5:17, John 14:10, John 15:1-5, Philippians 2:13, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4-11, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 3:16-21, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6