Childproof Caps

John 15:4-8

“I don’t think I’ll ever get Grandpa Evans to go to church with us,” said Craig, plopping the receiver down on the phone. “He says he’s gotta fix his truck, so he’s too busy. I just have to get him to come—I’m sure he’d like it,” he said with a sigh. “It’s hopeless.”

“Oh, now don’t say that,” said his mother, who was up on a chair cleaning kitchen cupboards. She took two bottles from the top shelf and handed them to Craig. “There are only a few pills in each of these,” she said. “You can put all of them into one bottle and throw the other away.”

Craig struggled to open the bottles. He twisted and turned them and even tried opening them with his teeth! “I can’t do it,” he complained, handing them back.

Mom took them and opened them quite easily. “I forgot that they have childproof caps,” she said. “You’re not supposed to be able to open them.” She looked thoughtfully at the bottles. “You know, as I listened to you talk about your grandfather, I heard you say that you had to get him to church. But Grandpa is like these bottles with the childproof caps. It will take Someone stronger than you or me to cause him to be open to what God has for him. You can’t change Grandpa. Only God can change a person.”

Craig thought about it for a moment. Then he nodded. “If I can’t open a little bottle, I sure can’t change anyone’s life!” he agreed. Suddenly he smiled. “But you know what? It feels good knowing that I’m doing my part and that I can leave the rest to God.”

How about You?

Have you been trying to change people? You can’t do it. Pray for them and ask God what you could say to them. After you’ve done your part, leave the rest to God. Only he can change a person’s heart.

Memorize:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5