When God Grows What We Cannot See
Even the smallest light reveals the quiet work of God already taking place in the heart.
Devotional Source: Living in the Garden of Grace by David Kuykendall
Photo Credit: Unsplash
The passage today reminds me that so much of God’s work happens in the quiet, hidden places of the heart. Brother Kuykendall’s reflection shows how Paul, Apollos, and even the unnamed believers in Corinth were simply vessels through whom God was already moving. Some planted seeds of truth, others encouraged those seeds toward a response, but God Himself brought the increase.
I appreciate how Kuykendall highlights that many Christians underestimate the gentler ministry of “watering,” the kind that simply encourages someone to trust the Lord who is already stirring within them. It is not loud or dramatic. It is often unnoticed by others. Yet it carries a beauty that can only be seen when Christ is at the center.
He reminds us that our part in God’s work is never measured by how much we accomplish. It is measured by our abiding life, our quiet trust that Jesus expresses His life through us. We are not initiators. We are not heroes. We are simply fellow travelers, grateful to be used as God chooses.
Kuykendall’s writing is tender toward those who think they must be the ones to convert or persuade. Instead, he brings us back to a place of rest. He thanks God that the increase is always His and not ours. This brings relief, doesn’t it. It lets us breathe again in the freedom of knowing that even our influence over others is a gift of grace and not a pressure placed on our shoulders.
Journal Entry, Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, I am the One who brings life where there was none. I am the One who opens a heart, softens a will, and turns a wandering mind toward truth. You do not need to carry what only I can accomplish. You are invited to rest in Me, to walk with Me, and to let My life move through you with quiet confidence.
I have united you with Jesus, and His life is your life now. You are not called to manufacture outcomes. You are called to abide. As you trust Me, your presence becomes a place where others encounter My kindness. Sometimes you will plant. Sometimes you will gently encourage. Sometimes you will witness a harvest that began long before you arrived. Every part is Mine, and every part is precious.
Do not measure your worth by visible results. Let your heart stay tender in My presence. Let Me be the One who guides your steps, your words, and your timing. When I lead you to speak, I will also work in the heart that hears. When I lead you to be silent, I will still be at work in the unseen places. You are never without purpose because Jesus lives in you.
Walk today with a quiet trust. You are joined to My life, and I delight in expressing Myself through you. Let this assurance settle your thoughts. Let it anchor your heart. What I begin, I complete. What I plant, I grow. What I water, I bring to flourishing at the right time.
Real-Life Analogy
Think about turning on a small lamp in a dim room. The room may not change dramatically, but the lamp gently pushes back the shadows so that others can see more clearly. You did not create the light. You simply connected the lamp to the power already available.
This is how the Holy Spirit works through you in daily life. A gentle word, a listening posture, or a quiet expression of hope becomes like a small lamp that helps someone else recognize the presence of Jesus who has already been near them. There is no pressure to force outcomes. You simply stay connected to the life that is already flowing within you.
Maybe later today you encounter someone who seems uncertain or weighed down. You can internally say, Lord, You are present here. I trust You to express Your compassion through me in this moment. This keeps the focus on His work, not yours. You become a vessel of His warmth, not an agent of self-effort.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, I rejoice that every part of Your work belongs to You. Thank You for freeing me from the pressure to produce results and for letting me walk in the calm assurance that Jesus lives in me. You have already provided Your life, Your wisdom, and Your presence within my spirit. I rest in what You have given, and I thank You that I am invited to participate in Your work without fear or strain. Every seed, every bit of encouragement, and every harvest belongs to You, and I am grateful to simply abide in the life You have provided.
Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
John 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, Philippians 1:6, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4-11, John 7:38-39, Colossians 1:27, Isaiah 55:10-11, John 4:36-37