Mission and Vision Part 4: Become
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.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (NASB95)
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24 (NASB95)
This week we are reflecting on what kind of people we are becoming. It isn’t easy to do and can even bring discouragement to us.
Yesterday as you evaluated how you spent your time (Life Audit), you might be a little surprised or even feel a bit ashamed of how you spent the precious time given to you.
Generally speaking, that discouragement comes from a lifelong habit of trusting our own efforts to lead us to good things. Certainly, we must put into practice what we are learning and must be willing to work hard, but our discouragement comes from looking at ourselves rather than trusting in, remaining in, and abiding with God through Christ.
Read our Key Scripture out loud:
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.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Let’s consider Paul’s language here: He is CERTAIN that God will continue his work until it is finished. God is doing work in you. God has designed you to come into alignment. We need only to position ourselves to be realigned into what we were created to be.
Lately, I feel a slight shake in my vehicle. It is especially noticeable when I am travelling at higher speeds on the freeway. I know that it is time to get the tires rotated and balanced, and maybe even to ask if Les Schwab and friends can check the alignment.
The car is created to be smooth and to go straight, but it will be a rough ride until it gets to the experts who can realign it to its design.
You are far more complex and your life is much more nuanced than a car travelling at high speeds, but the analogy might be helpful. When life is blitzing by, you’re more likely to experience your own misalignments. While you are designed to handle stress and to function at high levels, you will feel shaky and discombobulated until you take time with the expert (Jesus) who can bring balance and alignment to your mind, body and spirit.
Jesus said:
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
John 15:4 (NLT)
So, today look back over your life audit and ask yourself where in your day you can take more time to ‘remain’ with Jesus. Remember: we will become what we do. We are not thinking things, but we are ‘acting’ things. What we act upon becomes us and we become what we act upon.
John Ortberg writes about what it takes—it isn’t about trying, it is about training:
Trying hard can accomplish only so much. If you are serious, you will have to enter into a life of training.
—The Life You’ve Always Wanted
So, take action today so you get in the presence of Jesus—who heals, restores and grows us BACK into the people of love we’re created to be.
Read this prayer out loud:
“Father, you’re good and you’re kind.
Father, that goodness and kindness extends to me today.
Jesus, I don’t hope in me, but hope in you.
Jesus, I trust you to help me be a person of love.
Holy Spirit, lead me to your presence today.
Holy Spirit, fill me with the power of love today.“
