Do you ever feel that you are not doing enough or accomplishing enough? Even in the realm of faith? It is time to step back and look at the big picture. Then hopefully you will be able to relax and rest in God’s grace. Because all is well.

So then [God’s gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God’s having mercy on him.] (Romans 9:16, AMP,*)

It’s not about us. It’s all about God’s grace from start to finish. We are all works in progress. God has not yet perfected us. He has not yet finished with us. We all are God’s works in progress. Read what Paul wrote to the Philippians:

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil:1:6, NRSV, emphasis added,*)

God who began your spiritual formation will also complete it. By the day of Jesus Christ. You are God’s work in progress. He will perfect you by the day Jesus returns. Hence you do not need to be all stressed about your progress. It’s not about you and your hard work. It’s about God’s grace in you.

Sure. We are not called to be slackers in spiritual matters. We are indeed called to fully abide in Christ. We are called to focus on God. We are called to pray always. But we are not called to stress about our spiritual progress. It’s not about human will or human effort, but of God’s grace.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. (Phil.1:9, NLT,*)

Spiritual formation is about letting God’s grace overflow in and through us. Then spiritual growth just happens by grace. Then we are where we always wanted to be: growing in knowledge and understanding.

So surrender your worries and inadequacies to God. Let God’s love and grace permeate every inch of you. And praise God that you are his work in progress and that he will bring the work in you to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. You are right where God wants you to be. You are in mighty good hands.

 

Gracious God,
Forgive us for worrying over things that don’t even belong to us.
Thank you that both our justification and sanctification is your work in us.
Help us to enjoy you more.
Help us to rest in your grace more.
Help us to praise you more.
Because you really are everything we need.
It’s all about you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you ok with being God’s work in progress?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace your status as God’s work in progress.

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Alexis St.Clair, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp: #1123 God has begun his good work in us. #1124 God is at work in us. #1125 God will complete his work in us by the day of Jesus Christ. #1125 We can rest in God’s grace as God’s works in progress.