“…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 1:6

 Uncompleted Work

While cleaning house today, I came across a project that I started but had not yet completed. This reminded me of other WIPs (Works In Progress) I have lying around the house. Let me see… there is an unfinished quilt, a counted-cross stitch of my child’s wedding date (the wedding was two years ago), a baby blanket, an afghan, a shawl, and about seven years of scrapbooking. To make matters worse, I’ve purchased yarn for four other afghans and five baby lovies. I’ve got to stop buying and start finishing!!

Uncompleted work doesn’t stop with the craft projects. There are other areas of my life that seem uncompleted as well. Unsaved family members are on top of the list to start. My house is never completely clean all at once. The outside of the house is in a state of incompleteness.

I looked up “complete” in the Bible to find out what Jesus said about it. Here are a few verses:

“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24).

 “I in them and you in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me” (John 17:23).

Paul talks about giving, but maybe it is sound advice for other things as well. He writes: “And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means” (2 Corinthians 8:10-11).

All earthly projects and jobs aside, there is hope that Jesus will complete the work He began in each one of us. Jesus is concerned about love, joy, unity, forgiveness, and the like. These are the good works. I’d like to finish my WIPs before it’s my time to leave this earth, but I’d rather finish the good work.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to finish the work You started in us. Help us to hear Your voice and to obey what You say, making the most of every day. We look forward to the day of the completed work when we stand face to face with You in glory. Amen.”