God works in us, placing in us the desire to do his will (Philippians 2:13; Psalm 37:4). Paul explains that his striving is connected with God's strong workings in him. It is almost as if he is driven by an overpowering desire which God placed in him (Colossians 1:29).
God receives all the glory for any spiritual results of our work because he placed the desire in us to do it, provided the means to do it, gave us the ideas to do it, provided all we needed to do it, then caused the outcome through us.
One might protest, "then we are but puppets". I say, what is wrong with being God's puppet? He does all things will. Everything he does is for our benefit. He rewards us far beyond anything we have done. He gives us peace in the middle of chaos. He gives us strength, wisdom and power to overcome. He loves us, has given us creativity and blesses us abundantly. I tell you what, I'm happy to be his puppet.
