Joyful Living Devotional - Day 3
Day 3 – Not Finished yet!
Philippians 1:6(NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
We have all had days when we have left things undone. Sometimes it is because we have run out of time, and sometimes it is because of the enormity of the task. Depending on your makeup, for some of us, unfinished work bothers us, while for others, we have an attitude of “tomorrow is another day.” The truth is, some things take more time, attention, effort, wisdom, knowledge, and insight. It is easy to categorize, structure, and organize things; however, people are a whole different story.
People can be frustrating to lead, to gather, and to work with. People have opinions, ideas, feelings, and emotions, and they are at different levels of spiritual and emotional maturity. Hence, one size doesn’t fit all. When we organize things, things don't complain. Move a chair from one place to another, and the chair doesn’t protest or give five reasons why that is a bad idea or why it could be put to better use somewhere else. However, simply ask someone to park in a different spot or to sit in a different seat than their regular seat in church, and you will definitely hear about it.
It is like the story of the pastor who left the pastorate to work for a funeral home. When asked why he left the pastorate, his only remark was, “Now when I help to straighten people out, at least they stay straight.” Working with people can be frustrating, and if we are honest, we even get frustrated with our own slow progress. That could be a cause of us losing joy. In writing to the Philippians, Paul gives them this incredible encouragement. He reminds them that they are works in progress. That which was started will be brought to completion. Paul is confident, certain that the Lord will finish what was started in their lives.
Here’s the good news: God finishes what He starts! We are a work in progress, and that should give us hope. Pride says, “I have arrived,” while humility asks, “Where do I need to change?” The most significant sign of a humble heart is a loving response in all circumstances and in all our relationships. God is working in us, and that work will be completed only when Jesus returns.
Invite the Holy Spirit to do the renovation your heart needs. Stop being impatient with yourself and others, and give yourself completely to this process of becoming like Jesus. You are not finished yet, because the Lord is not finished with you yet. You are a masterpiece in the making. Stop fighting the Potter when He tries to mold you into the image of Christ. Stop arguing with the Sculptor when He is chipping away and removing the pieces in your life that hinder you from looking the way He intends for you.
He will complete the work He started. Your joy depends on it, as does the joy of the people around you. Let Him do what only He can do, so you can be what only He can make you be.
Hebrews 13:20-21(GW) The God of peace brought the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, back to life through the blood of an eternal promise. 21 May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Prayer:
In humility, ask the Lord to show you where change is needed.
Be still before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what His priority is for your life.
Pray for the courage to begin the process of change (knowing that God is your Partner in this ongoing process)
Don’t let arrogance or self-loathing keep you from pressing into God’s presence so you may find the peace you need to do every good thing the Lord wants.
If you get frustrated or impatient, remember the Lord is not finished with you yet.
Philippians 1:6(NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
We have all had days when we have left things undone. Sometimes it is because we have run out of time, and sometimes it is because of the enormity of the task. Depending on your makeup, for some of us, unfinished work bothers us, while for others, we have an attitude of “tomorrow is another day.” The truth is, some things take more time, attention, effort, wisdom, knowledge, and insight. It is easy to categorize, structure, and organize things; however, people are a whole different story.
People can be frustrating to lead, to gather, and to work with. People have opinions, ideas, feelings, and emotions, and they are at different levels of spiritual and emotional maturity. Hence, one size doesn’t fit all. When we organize things, things don't complain. Move a chair from one place to another, and the chair doesn’t protest or give five reasons why that is a bad idea or why it could be put to better use somewhere else. However, simply ask someone to park in a different spot or to sit in a different seat than their regular seat in church, and you will definitely hear about it.
It is like the story of the pastor who left the pastorate to work for a funeral home. When asked why he left the pastorate, his only remark was, “Now when I help to straighten people out, at least they stay straight.” Working with people can be frustrating, and if we are honest, we even get frustrated with our own slow progress. That could be a cause of us losing joy. In writing to the Philippians, Paul gives them this incredible encouragement. He reminds them that they are works in progress. That which was started will be brought to completion. Paul is confident, certain that the Lord will finish what was started in their lives.
Here’s the good news: God finishes what He starts! We are a work in progress, and that should give us hope. Pride says, “I have arrived,” while humility asks, “Where do I need to change?” The most significant sign of a humble heart is a loving response in all circumstances and in all our relationships. God is working in us, and that work will be completed only when Jesus returns.
Invite the Holy Spirit to do the renovation your heart needs. Stop being impatient with yourself and others, and give yourself completely to this process of becoming like Jesus. You are not finished yet, because the Lord is not finished with you yet. You are a masterpiece in the making. Stop fighting the Potter when He tries to mold you into the image of Christ. Stop arguing with the Sculptor when He is chipping away and removing the pieces in your life that hinder you from looking the way He intends for you.
He will complete the work He started. Your joy depends on it, as does the joy of the people around you. Let Him do what only He can do, so you can be what only He can make you be.
Hebrews 13:20-21(GW) The God of peace brought the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, back to life through the blood of an eternal promise. 21 May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Prayer:
In humility, ask the Lord to show you where change is needed.
Be still before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what His priority is for your life.
Pray for the courage to begin the process of change (knowing that God is your Partner in this ongoing process)
Don’t let arrogance or self-loathing keep you from pressing into God’s presence so you may find the peace you need to do every good thing the Lord wants.
If you get frustrated or impatient, remember the Lord is not finished with you yet.
Posted in Joyful Living Devotional