The Upper Room Devotional – 17th January 2026, Saturday Message
Something Good
Carol Westerlund (Uusimaa, Finland)
Today’s Reading
Ephesians 2:1-10
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We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Recently I noticed a multicolored ball of yarn in my yarn collection. It looked too ragged for any good use, but instead of throwing it away I decided to try crocheting something with it. The result surprised me! I followed the instructions and wound up with a warm woolen hat of beautiful colors — a perfect fit.
Some things in life can be just like that scruffy yarn: poor quality and apparently without purpose. At times, our life experiences can get us down and cause us to lose perspective. But here is where the hand of the Creator comes in. God is willing to make something incredible from whatever we have to offer. The Bible assures us: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Because of who God is, God can bring good from anything. May we never doubt the skill of God’s hand who can creatively use what we offer for the good of the world.
Thought for the Day
Even what I deem useless, God can turn into good.
Prayer Focus
To offer what I have to God
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More from Carol Westerlund
Today’s Prayer
Creative God, we surrender to you all the pieces of our lives. Thank you for transforming them into something good. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 17th January 2026 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
