I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sometimes, no, MOST of the time, patience is the hardest part. Here in Phillipians we read of the confidence we are to have in God’s plan for our lives.
Have you found yourself in a season of waiting? In a time of waiting for answers or closure from something that has had you all tied up inside?
Staying the course can be hard, it can be frustrating, and it can be a huge blessing if you can wait. Becoming patient has been a continual learning process for myself. Patience can get clouded with many distractions some of which include a “wanting”, covetousness, a desire, pride, or an answer, longing, even the need to control, selfishness.
These traits of personal need over God’s plans can become more idol-like that we want to admit. That is, when our desires get in front of our submission to God, we get off track, we derail, we fall to the ways of the world over the ways of the Lord.
Despite this reality, God often will re-set our path or plan without our liking or permission yet it is ALWAYS BETTER. HIS GOOD WORK IN YOU IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN YOUR GOOD EFFORTS.
Every time in my life it has been the same. I think, I know, I want …. you fill in the verb, every time I’m on top of my plans God steps in and “re-sets” the course. Sometimes my patience lasts until His plans are revealed….. sometimes it doesn’t. Yet EVERY TIME, He follows through with something better for my life.
This last weekend I experienced it again, this time the answers have not been shown yet the strength and persistence to be PATIENT had been provided. This doesn’t mean we sit idle in wait, but continue with our daily disciples until He shows the way. Continue with your closeness to Christ until you see His face. Continue with your serving, your giving, your asking, until He unleashes more of Himself in your vision.
This hard work of patience will result in a blessing. When the bell tolls for the Christ-Centered man, EVERY answer, EVERY detail, and ALL THE GLORY TO GOD will be seen. Firsthand, in person, live to the very core of it’s meaning to those in Christ. Stay the course!
Barnabas Man 