There are certain things that I can’t change about myself.
I prefer a good 7 hours of sleep each night if I’m going to function more-than-semi-consciously during the day. I believe that Bisto gravy granules, Marmite and Man United are a result of the fall. I like drinking coffee thats good and frothy, but increasingly prefer a good cup of tea. I thoroughly enjoy Heroes, delighted in the quirky-dark The Big White and anticipate the return of Jack in day seven of 24 very soon!
I always fold my wraps at the bottom before I eat them. I’m intentionally negligent when it comes to flossing my teeth. I will never wear a football shirt, or purchase an album of operatic music. This is just the way I am, and at one level I don’t plan on changing any time soon.
But there are many things about myself that I want to change….and there are things that need to change. I’m awkward, clumsy and not always generous-spirited. I share Jesus infrequently. I can get too affected by others. I get frustrated, animated and border on angry at times. Yes, I’m a recovering sinner who (always) needs to change. The problem is, it often feels like I’m never going to change. My struggles seems like a vast, unconquerable mountain, or like a bad cold-sore that simply won’t shift! When I find myself in that place I can be tempted to despair. I’m never going to change, says my heart. I’m doomed to struggle for the rest of my life. I’ll never make progress. It’s at these moments that I need to passionately proclaim truth to myself. In Philippians 1:6 we read;- and this I’m rock-solid-unshakeable about…., He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
What a sweet promise from God. I can be assured that I will be changed into the image of Jesus Christ, not because of anything I’m doing, but because God will finish the work He began in me. God isn’t like us. He doesn’t let His projects go unfinished. He is a master architect who always finishes what He starts. God will finish the good work He began in me. By His grace I will overcome my struggles – just as you can yours….!!
We must take this Philippians 1;6 promise and use it as a hammer to smash despair. Preach it again-and-again to your own soul. We cannot allow despair and discouragement to rule us. We must fight to believe this verse until we really, truly believe it and live it!! God at work, changing us, shaping us, and conforming us to be like Jesus Christ.
So then, what’s one area of your life where it seems like you will never change? Take Philippians 1:6 and apply it to that area. In and through this and over however long, God will change you! Why? Because God always finishes His projects, and next to Jesus you are His best idea!
hebrews 12 – 13