Introduction

Brothers and friends, many times we take for granted what we have and who we are.
We get up each day, breathe, think, act… and rarely pause to ask ourselves: where does all of this really come from?
Before jumping to conclusions, I want to invite you to carefully observe what we take as natural and discover something surprising.

Let’s reflect with these questions:

1️⃣ What did I do to be able to get up this morning?
2️⃣ What have we done to be able to breathe?
3️⃣ What did I do to be able to think?
4️⃣ What did we do to exist?

At first glance, these seem normal, but when you think about it, none of these actions depend solely on you.

“Who has given understanding to the heart of man, or given wisdom to the mind?” (Job 38:36)

A fundamental reality

There is a truth we sometimes forget: we have done nothing to deserve who we are, and much less what we have.

If you think that through your efforts you have achieved what you have, ask yourself:

• Who gave you the ability to accomplish it?
• How did you acquire the capacity to even think it?
• Which of your actions gave you the right to do it?

Perhaps your answer is: “I studied long hours, put in a lot of effort, sacrificed a lot, and nobody helped me—I did it alone.”

Then tell me:

• How did you acquire the capacity to process information?
• How can you coordinate your body according to what you think?
• What did you do to make it this way?

The truth is that all our abilities, our life, and our achievements are gifts from God, who gives us skills, intelligence, health, and opportunities. Recognizing this helps us live with humility, gratitude, and dependence on the Lord.

An illustration to understand it

Let’s visualize this: a coffee maker. The actions performed before making coffee—like filling the water, adding the ground coffee, and turning on the machine—are done by the person who wants to drink the coffee. This preparation is what allows the final result.

Even if the coffee maker brews the coffee, without that initial process done by the person, it could not achieve the result.

Similarly, our achievements and abilities depend on everything God has placed in us and our environment, not just our visible actions. Recognizing this leads to humility and gratitude, because without Him, nothing we do would have real effect.

We depend completely on the Creator

Brothers and friends, this is how we are: without the hand of the Creator, we would be lifeless bodies.

The Lord, when forming our body, gave it the breath of life, and without Him, we would be in a vegetative state, as mentioned in Genesis 2:7:

“Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

When the Spirit leaves the body, the body dies and is at risk of losing life. This is confirmed in Psalm 100:3:

“Know that the Lord is God; it is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”

Dependence on God and free will

Some might think that depending on God for existence would be like being robots, without freedom. But this is far from the truth.

Dependence on God does not eliminate our free will. We simply acknowledge that He has full control and knowledge of all His creation, and that all living beings exist thanks to Him. As Scripture says:

Colossians 1:16-17

“For in Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Also, Psalm 139:13 shows us that even what seems natural and normal, like the formation of a child in the womb, is directly the work of God:

“For You formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

This teaches us that everything in us and around us depends on Him, yet our freedom to choose, decide, and act still exists, within the framework of His sovereignty.

Recognizing the Creator in everything

Brothers and friends, reflecting on all we have seen, it is clear that our actions alone do not give us the right to what we are or what we have. Every breath, every thought, every ability, and every achievement comes from God’s grace and His perfect work in us.

This does not mean we are robots without freedom; it means we recognize the sovereignty and love of our Creator, who sustains all things with His power and knowledge. Our freedom exists within His creation, and every choice we make is an opportunity to honor Him and live according to His will.

Today, we can make an act of humility and gratitude: turn our hearts to the Lord, recognize His work in our lives, and trust that He guides us, gives us life, and empowers us for every step.

If you have not yet placed your life in His hands, this is the moment to approach Him, surrender your thoughts, your will, and your efforts. For only in God do we find the true source of life, purpose, and fulfillment.

“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)