Not a nettle

The Thought for the Day is from John 18 v 37.


God has a plan for our lives that is complete in every detail. The Sovereign of the universe cannot allow any of His plans to be executed haphazardly. He leaves nothing to happenstance.


The life of Jesus is a prime example. His coming as a Babe in Bethlehem, His earthly ministry, His death and His resurrection all took place according to God’s purpose. To show that Jesus was determined to do His Father’s will, Luke wrote, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9 v 51). Jesus’ death was no turn of fate—it was a fulfilment of God’s plan. He came to give His life, a ransom for the sins of the world.


It is also true that the life of every Christian has been designed by God to fulfil a specific purpose. C.H.Spurgeon said, “There is not a spider hanging on the king’s wall but has its errand; there is not a nettle that grows in the corner of the churchyard but has its purpose—–And I will never have it that God created any man to be a nothing.”


Duties belong to us; results belong to God.”


What wonderful comforting words that C.H.Spurgeon said. Every one of us has a purpose. We may not have recognised it yet but it is there.

It may be something as simple as being a good friend to someone or being a good listener when someone needs to talk. We can’t all be brilliant speakers, I know that I definitely can’t, but there’s lots of work to be done in the background to carry out God’s work.

We can pray in the quietness of our homes or when walking or sitting in the sunshine.