In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:4-6)
Since today is day 7 and we understand that the number 7 represents completion, it seemed fitting to write about completing things. If you’re anything like me, you get frustrated with incomplete tasks. Earlier this year, I set out to write a book. Once I started the writing process, I was determined to complete the task. Unfortunately, I was short of my goal. I was devastated when I looked up and saw that January 2019 was just around the corner. I cried to God because I was just one chapter away from the book being done. No matter how many times I sat at the computer, I couldn’t find the words. I questioned if I wasn’t disciplined enough or if I didn’t try hard enough. The closer we got to January the more I began to feel like I failed in that area. When I least expected it, I could hear God telling me that I couldn’t write the last chapter because He hadn’t completed that chapter in me. I cried tears of joy. I was so happy to know that God loves me so much that He makes sure that everything I do is in His good and perfect timing. God help me to see that my goals were not incomplete but IN PROGRESS.
You may feel like you missed out on something this year or that nothing has gone as you planned, but know that God is not done with you. In fact, until the return of Christ Jesus, God still has work for you. When I think about this scripture I am overjoyed because it reassures me that whatever God began to do in me is not bound to a 365-day timeframe. Don’t throw your hope or faith out because whatever you were expecting didn’t happen this year. Keep going and keep trusting God as if the calendar was not a factor. My sister, make your vision board but don’t get married to the dates. As long as you are married to the will of God you can definitely believe that what He has for you is for you and will come to past. Maintain your spirit of expectation.
We often quote Habakkuk 2:2 to encourage people to do their vision boards--write the vision and make it plain. We treat our visions as though gluing our lovely pictures on a poster board will magically make our dreams come true. When the end of the year comes, we are left with incomplete goals but we don’t serve an incomplete God. Every vision and promise of God has an appointed time. We are reminded of this in Habakkuk 2:3:
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
The vision will not delay. Just because it doesn’t happen according to our timetable doesn’t mean that it’s late. If it hasn’t happened yet, wait for it. Don’t leave it. Don’t dismiss it. Don’t erase it. Wait. Work and pray as if today could be the day. Some may see it as incomplete but when we move by faith we know that it is IN PROGRESS of completion.
Challenge:
In your secret place reflect on the following scriptures:
Psalms 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalms 37:34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
We are just one day away from completing our challenge. I can’t wait to share a special devotional with you tomorrow. Happy seeking!