We Are His Work Zone

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)

I am not as far as God wants me to go in my spiritual walk with Jesus, but I am lightyears ahead of where I was. I started my journey of faith when I was 44 years old. I was a mature adult but a babe in Christ. Like a newborn baby, I was hungry and wanted to eat all the time. Every chance I got I consumed the Bible like an insatiable lion over its prey. Quite often, I didn’t understand what I was reading. I started out like babe on mother’s milk. Over the years, with the help of elder Christian teachers, studying God's Word and daily prayer, I matured to eating the bread of life.

My maturity in Christ wouldn’t measure a teaspoonful in the ocean of God’s universe. The Holy Spirit helps me grow a tiny bit every day. However, there is no way for me to ever claim I have completed my journey until that day I meet Jesus face to face. He has been patient with me when I backslid a time or two and he helps me in my times of doubt. From the first moment I was saved, the Holy Spirit has been at work in me, making me better than I was the day before.

Why didn’t God just give me all the knowledge I need at the moment of my conversion? He is fully capable and has the power to do that. He could snap his fingers and I would know everything there is to know and understand from the scriptures. I’m pretty sure, had he done that, I would have become a contemptuous know-it-all. What kind of witness would I be if I was always looking down my nose at unbelievers. I think God wants me to mature slowly so I can bring some of those close to me closer to him a little bit at a time; instead of pushing them away with too much knowledge, spewing out like a flood.

I did not come up out of the waters of baptism with all the knowledge of God, the scriptures and Christianity, no one ever does. It's a process the Holy Spirit is guiding me through. I have been a believer for twenty something years now, and I’m still learning something every day. There will never come a time in my life that I have finally learned everything the Lord has to offer. God wants only what’s good for me. That’s why he gave the Holy Spirit to guide me through life. He will continue to direct my steps until the day of Jesus. I look forward to that day but until it comes, I strive to always grow in my faith.

Heavenly Father, we are not worthy of your grace and mercy. You are the mightiest being in the whole universe and could justly turn your back on us for our sinful behavior. And yet, you provide a path for our salvation with the cleansing blood of Jesus. You alone are faithful. Thank you, Lord, for all that you do for us even if we don’t understand what it is you’re doing. When we surrendered our lives to your will, you started us on a path to be the person you created us to be. Father God, we ask the Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us into that person. Please, keep doing that good work in us for the rest of our lives. We need you and your guidance every day, dear Lord. We know the final transformation will not be finished until that great and wonderful day when your Son returns. Help us to stay the course until then, Father. Keep us on the righteous path and forgive us when we stray. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen!