Work in Progress

There are some areas of our lives which are a finished product, and then there are others which are obviously a work in progress....

A construction building is usually covered in scaffolding and building equipment, which has great potential to become something amazing. Its end purpose is to be a finished product and to look exactly like what the architect designed it to be.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

As Christians, becoming like Jesus is a long, slow and painful process of growth. Spiritual maturity and our personal development are to be our greatest goals, which will take the rest of our lives.

I have found that God is more interested in our character than our work, finances or relationships, because at the end of the day, we will take only our character into eternity. Everything else we need follows on the footsteps of character formed into Christlikeness, faith and maturity.

God’s timing is usually based on whether we are ready in our heart and attitudes before He releases us into important seasons of responsibility. How long we wait usually isn’t because God is asleep or behind schedule – but because He is waiting on us to grow up.

What areas in your life is a finished product and what is still a work in progress? How is your faith, patience, generosity and capacity? Or how about love for others, work ethic, finances and social skills? If you need a good list to see where you are at, check out Paul’s words in Romans 12:9-13:

·         Love must be sincere.

·         Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

·         Be devoted to one another in love.

·         Honour one another above yourselves.

·         Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

·         Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

·         Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

·         Practice hospitality.

It is a beautiful day when a believer grows up into all that God created them to be. When they stand strong, confident and living in the fullness of their freedom in Christ. What today might be a weakness, we are promised God can turn into our strength by his empowering and renewing grace (2 Cor 12:9).

Philippians 2:13 

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purposes.