God’s Unfinished Masterpiece: Finding Hope in the Process
Have you ever started a project and felt overwhelmed by how long it remained unfinished? Maybe it was a home renovation that seemed endless, or a personal goal that felt increasingly distant. As I write this, I’m reminded of my grandmother’s quilting. She would spend months on a single quilt, meticulously piecing together fragments of fabric into something beautiful. The process was slow, sometimes messy, but she never doubted the final result. This image of patient craftsmanship brings to mind one of the most encouraging verses in Scripture. In Philippians 1:6, Paul writes, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT). Think about those words for a moment: “God, who began the good work within you.” This isn’t about our own self-improvement projects or New Year’s resolutions. This is about God Himself initiating a divine transformation in our lives. Just as an artist envisions the finished masterpiece before the first brushstroke, God sees the completed work of grace He’s developing in you. But here’s what truly amazes me about this verse – Paul’s certainty. He doesn’t say “I hope” or “I think” or even “I pray.” He declares, “I am certain.” In a world full of uncertainties, here’s a guarantee we can hold onto: God Finishes What He Starts Sometimes we grow impatient with our spiritual progress. We see our flaws, our struggles, our two-steps-forward-one-step-back journey, and we wonder if we’re getting anywhere at all. But God’s timeline isn’t like our timeline. He’s not rushed, not frustrated, and not disappointed by the process. Consider these truths about God’s ongoing work in your life: It’s Personal: God’s work in you is unique. He’s not creating a mass-produced product but a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It’s Progressive: Growth happens in stages. Just as a sculpture emerges gradually from a block of marble, God shapes us day by day. It’s Persistent: God doesn’t abandon His projects. There’s no such thing as “halfway done” in His workshop. Perhaps you’re reading this today feeling incomplete, inadequate, or stuck in a spiritual rut. Take heart! The very fact that you can recognize your need for growth is evidence of God’s work in your life. Those growing pains you feel. They’re signs of His ongoing transformation. Being Unfinished Isn’t A Flaw – it’s a promise. It means God isn’t done with you… YET. Every challenge, every struggle, every moment of growth is part of His continuing work. Paul mentions this work continues “until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” This reminds us that our spiritual growth isn’t just about becoming better people – it’s about being prepared for eternity. Each day brings us closer to that final unveiling when God’s work in us will be complete. Until then, we can trust in God’s divine process and fully embrace the journey He has set before us. As we cooperate with His work and rest in His unwavering faithfulness, we look forward with hope to the beautiful transformation He is accomplishing in us. While God is the master artist, we’re not passive canvas. We can participate in His work by: Staying connected through prayer and Scripture Being open to His guidance Walking in obedience Remaining patient with the process Encouraging others in their journey Next time you feel discouraged about your spiritual progress, remember Philippians 1:6. God is still working. The masterpiece is unfinished, but the Artist is faithful. And His signature on your life guarantees the work will be completed. Take a moment today to thank Him for His ongoing work in your life. After all, being under construction means you’re in the Master’s hands – and there’s no better place to be.
When It’s Hard To Trust God’s Plan
Trusting God’s Plan Whether you are the type of person who goes through life with a solid plan (and backup plan) or you fly by the seat of your pants, most of us would agree that sometimes life throws you a curveball. You have probably encountered something unexpected that seemingly tossed you off course. Perhaps it was a shifting relationship, a job loss, a health scare, or something else that left you feeling lost and uncertain. Have you found it hard to trust God’s plan? Do you find yourself questioning God? What if I told you that God welcomes your questions. When we encounter the unexpected, we often perceive it as a barrier. But in that, we are forgetting the greatness of God and His plans. Fortunately, nothing can disrupt God’s plan for us! If He establishes a barrier, He wants us to pivot. He is not keeping us from our purpose, He is ensuring it. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” But in the pridefulness of life, we forget to trust Him wholly. Fortunately, God is not afraid of you or your questions. He welcomes them when we allow them to bring us into a closer relationship with Him. His desire is for a close and personal relationship with every one of us. He knows that through our questions we can seek Him, find Him, and discover His plans for us. Purpose of Waiting Sometimes we grow anxious and weary as we await His great reveal. However, this waiting season is purposeful. It is preparation and, as followers, we benefit from using it wisely by growing our relationship with Christ and remaining obedient. Scripture promises us that. He is growing, pushing, and preparing you because Psalm 139:14 tells us we are, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” His plan for you is a special journey meant only for you. You will be called upon to carry out tasks that others are not equipped to do. He Understands While our journeys will be unique to each of us, we know they will be filled with triumphs and hardships alike. Changes to our plans can leave us feeling devastated and lost. But we can find rest and comfort in knowing our Christ the Lord lived as a man. He understands our struggles and not once has said this would be easy. What He wants are our obedience and trust. He is asking us to submit to His plan and carry out his work. We are truly doing the Lord’s work in obeying and trusting His plan. If you find yourself struggling, remember to seek a relationship with Him daily, especially when you are questioning Him. Remember that He isn’t afraid of your questions. He knows His plan for you is a great one. Spend time with Him in prayer. Read the Word. And take time to listen and look at what He is saying to you. Psalm 40:1 says: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” If you invest in your relationship with him, you are certain to see His faithfulness. The Village also offers opportunities to help you in your walk with Christ. In addition to Sunday messages, we encourage you to Serve Experience Rooted Join a Lifegroup