I haven’t confirmed it, but I have a feeling Philippians 1:6 is underlined in every Bible I’ve ever owned:

“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.” (HCSB)

This verse was a particular favorite during my teen and early adult years. When things weren’t working out according to my plan, I could rest in the confidence that God wasn’t done with me yet, that He would finish whatever He had initiated in my life—in His way and in His timing.

Lately, Philippians 1:6 has come to mind frequently as I think about loved ones who long to know what’s ahead, who sometimes struggle to see a way forward, who grow weary in doing what they know is right.

God finishes what He starts, the Apostle Paul makes this clear. A specific work may take a few weeks or months, or it may encompass an entire lifetime. But if it originates with God, it will get done—one way or another.

That said, God’s good works don’t necessarily correspond to our wishes, preferences or even our heart’s desires. They don’t always result in health, wealth and happiness. Pruning, shaping, molding, opportunities to grow in patience, kindness and endurance—these are all good works that don’t always feel very good.

As hard as it is to undergo a spiritual “procedure” like this ourselves, it can be even more difficult to watch a loved one go through it. There’s no hurrying up of the process; there’s so much that has to be left up to God’s timeline and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The good news is, if we’ve experienced the good work of God in our lives and perhaps even lived long enough to see some fruit come from it, we—like the Apostle Paul—can be confident about it for others. We can hold on to the hope that God will complete what He has started in them, even if they can’t see it ever happening.

Not that anyone has to see it for it to be true, of course. It’s biblical truth, not wishful thinking.

This reminds me of Eugene Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. It’s a great book, for sure, but the title is a wonderful message all by itself.

This long obedience often looks and feels different in your sixth decade than it does in your third or fourth, however.

When we’re younger, it’s hard to wait for God to work. It’s hard to trust in what He has willed and planned, as the song says. It’s still tough as we get older, but we have more history to look back on. We can see evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness sprinkled throughout our lives, even during our seasons in the wilderness.

Sometimes we have to squint to see it, but it’s there.

Especially now, when we have so many legitimate reasons to be discouraged or despondent, Paul’s words to the Philippians bear repeating until they are firmly entrenched in our hearts:

“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.”

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.