The good in me

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 1:6).

In my latest video, I ask this question: What is the good work God is bringing about in you? Philippians 1:6 tells us God began a good work in each of us. So, what is it, and how are we contributing to its completion?

For most of us, I suspect, this good work is growth. Our minds grow, our spirits grow. We grow in things of God like wisdom, kindness, patience, compassion, mercy. But how many of us give this process any attention? Don’t you imagine our every thought, choice, and action either works with God’s work within us or against it? God is working to make us big people. Are we big people?

I shudder at the thought that I would think thoughts, make choices, do things that butt up against what God is trying to bring about in me. What if I put all my effort behind His, and start pushing in the same direction?

No, it isn’t about going to church or even reading the Bible. Not at first. It starts with the nitty gritty, the every day. It starts with how we look in the mirror. Are we asking to see ourselves as God sees us? And if there’s some criticism there, can we face it, admit it, and change it? If we’re bullying the people around us, if we’re mean, if we’re narrow, if we’re angry, if we’re negative all the time, there’s work to do! We can’t allow that! We have to find out why we’re bullying, why we’re mean, why we’re so critical, why we’re angry, why we’re negative. Remember, it is God doing this work. What does that tell us about the surety of its success?

Reflection

What good is God bringing about in you? How can you help Him?

Prayer

Dear God, I want whatever good You’ve begun in me to keep growing. I want to be a better person. I want to see myself and others as You do. May I choose to grow, Lord. If You’re behind my growth, then the only person who can stop it is me. May I work with You. Amen.