It is Not Left Up to Me

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 (Amplified Bible)

Have you ever stopped to ponder God’s consistent and purposeful involvement in your life? In particular, the growth and development of your Christian life? If you are like me, you can become weighed down with the responsibility of striving, obeying, cooperating, and serving to the point that you draw the false conclusion that it ALL rests on YOUR shoulders. You might even be tempted to view God as One who simply sits back and watches how you are doing. While you know His Spirit lives in you to empower you and instruct you, and His Word gives you knowledge and wisdom for the journey, you still come away with a feeling that it is ALL up to you. The only thing you are “convinced” of is that you must keep up the pace and eventually there will be the pay off of growth.

Through the inspiration of God, Paul is coming along side us this morning to whisper essential truths to us. Primarily, the truth of God beginning the work, doing the work, and perfecting the work He started in each one of us. Recall the words of Isaiah the prophet who said in Isaiah 64:8, “ Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of you hand.” Make David’s words of Psalm 57:2 your prayer, “I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]. Review the words of Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving kindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Hence, God’s assurance in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

So what is it God is reminding each one of us this morning? He is the One doing the work in us! Yes, we are to cooperate. Yes, we are to obey. Yes, we are to daily connect with Him. My own journey has included reading a multitude of books, devouring Scripture, thriving under rich relationships, sitting under sound teaching, embracing incredible music, and replacing a lot of lies with the truth. But He is the one doing the changing and producing the growth. And He is the one doing so in you as well. Dance in the midst of it all! Delight in the awareness of being held in His hands as He accomplishes His masterpiece which is you! He is not only completely capable of such a thing, He is joyfully doing it!

Father, I am not on my own and You are not a distant observer. With a heart of joy I review the many ways You have worked in my life so far and anticipate all that You will accomplish in the days and years ahead. Amen.

By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95rAr0gOFU

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.