Work In Progress and LOVING It!
Do you want to know something God has been reminding me of lately? I am not a finished product. Well, in my design perhaps I am. But in my transformation process? Far from it. And, not only is this perfectly OK, it is expected. ⠀
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I love what Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Philippians 1:6 TPT)" ⠀
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I believe a great deal of our stress has to do with the pressure to be more than what we currently are. No matter how it may seem sometimes, everyone is a work in progress. Absolutely no one “arrives” all at once. We will all be growing for the rest of our lives. Sit back for a moment and let this fact sink in: Everyone on planet earth is in the middle of wonderful transformation initiated by God Himself. This process God is taking you through makes room for setbacks and mistakes. You cannot run out of chances or ruin a system built by amazing grace. You have not fallen behind. How could you? This kind of growing takes a lifetime to complete. So, take a deep breath.
"So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you."
- 1 Peter 5:5-6 The Message
Friend, you are a work in progress, and this is perfectly ok. This means that you and God are partners in growing your faith and building a life that increasingly honors Him. When you are ready for more, God will give you more. As you trust in God and work with Him, He will make you more. However, God also wants you to know and believe that He loves you and accepts you right now, just as you are. God does not transform us so He can love us. God transforms us because He loves us.
God is INVESTED in you. ⠀
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God is all FOR YOU. ⠀
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God is NOT disappointed in you. ⠀
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God is not anxious to get you “there.”
(Truth be told, we are the anxious ones. I honestly believe God loves our journey more than we do because it's where His relationship with each of us is formed and matured. Plus, learning to wait patiently works wonders for the character!)⠀
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Give yourself permission to be WHO you are, WHERE you are. ⠀
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Give yourself permission to go one step at a time, exactly as God designed. ⠀
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Give yourself permission to be brave, even if that means you might “flop” on your first try. Mistakes are how we learn, and God has more than enough grace to help you through each one.
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The person you are now may not be “all the way there” yet, but you have come SO FAR from who you were before! Instead of knocking yourself down for the work you've still got to do, CELEBRATE the progress you have already made with God!
God is proud of you. He is rooting for you to keep going. He wants you to finish STRONG! ⠀⠀
"...So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. [Or 'the sin that so cleverly entangles us.' The Aramaic can be translated 'the sin that is ready and waiting for us.' If this is speaking of one sin, the context would point to the sin of unbelief and doubting God’s promises.] Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. [The Aramaic can be translated 'the race (personally) appointed to us.' God has a destiny for each of us that we are to give ourselves fully to reach.]
We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. [Or 'He is the pioneer and perfecter of faith.'] His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!"
- Hebrews 12:1-2 TPT, footnotes included
This passage from scripture stirs my soul when I am filled with fear and doubt and implores me to ask myself: Why would Jesus endure so much pain for me, only to abandon me halfway through my messy process? This doesn't make sense, does it? Our Savior is in this with us for the long haul. He is walking us down the path He pioneered step by step by step, no matter how long it takes. No matter how many mistakes we make. No matter how many times we question if we even have what it takes. Jesus is still the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and He gives us what it takes.
So, my advice for you? Don't try to rush the process or judge your progress based on someone else's. Don't compare yourself with anyone but Jesus, and trust that He is making you into the best version of yourself. Explore what it looks like for YOU to belong to God.
What are some unique ways He expresses His love and power through you?
What roles has He graced you to serve in?
How has God perfectly used your imperfections?
These questions might seem intimidating at first, but be brave and give them a try anyway. Ask God to show you all the ways He is working within you and your life today. Make up your mind to walk with the Lord one blessed day at a time, and savor every part of your journey.
Trust me, we are all just a bunch of beautiful works in progress too! You're not alone.
Love you,
- Kelly
