His Continued Work
The best thing for us isn’t always the thing we want the most in that moment. It’s hard to have a long-term view of our present circumstances. When we stub our toe, we want it to stop hurting. When we’re sick, we want to get better. When we’re tired, we want to sleep. Nothing wrong with these – tend to your toe, take the medicine, and get some sleep. Our circumstances, however, can be difficult and yet produce a better thing than the easy route.
We’re so after the path of least resistance. It’s funny because resistance is the specific variable that produces strength. When you go to the gym, you lift weights to bring about resistance against yourself, your muscles break down, and upon healing you become stronger.
When we’re in control, this equation doesn’t seem to bother us. But, as soon as we begin to be affected by things outside our grasp, we tend to flounder. God is after the developments of our character. These deeper places in us require the challenges that life brings about.
I think back to my college baseball days. I had a four-year career of mediocre performance, many hard days watching a lot of baseball instead of getting to play. That time, although incredibly difficult in the moment, gave me tools that are worth far more than 200 starts today.
It wasn’t until later, further on down the road, that I was able to see the sharpening of my character that took place during that season. God promises us through the words of Paul when he says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
For those who believe, God is faithful to bring to completion the work He has started. Trusting in God’s character, that He is faithful, allows us to take courage and have faith that even amidst the hard and challenging, He will bring about what’s best for us.
When I say best, I am not meaning ultimate worldly prosperity. No, I’m describing the type of person who begins to walk in the full expression of who he or she was created by God to be. We all have an assignment, something that we were created for and placed on earth to step into for the Kingdom of God. There is no more fulfilling act than to walk in these things.
So, friend, let me encourage you with this. If what I’ve just mentioned doesn’t describe your current reality, take heart and continue seeking the Lord and being faithful to Him right where you are, God will shape you through the hard and mold your character to prepare you for all that’s to come.
Would we allow God, through the times of trial, confusion, and challenge, to mold and shape us into the full expressions of His creativity. God is intending to create you into something. We have a choice as to whether we allow Him to work on us or not. Would we resemble those who have humbly submitted to the power of God’s specific intention.
