“Being confident of this very thing, He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

 Completion

 It feels so good when we complete a project or plan. The burden is lifted. Like cleaning house, decorating a room, or finishing a shopping trip, the greatest fulfillment is in the finished work. I’ve recently taken an online class. Although it was good information and an enjoyable blessing, it was time-consuming and required commitment. Now that I’m on the other side, I can say I’ve been enriched, and the Lord has blessed me. But I was always striving for completion in each required paper or project. In other things too, I’m always looking for the finish line when I start something. Why can’t I enjoy the process?

When thinking about God’s complete work, we can be confident He will complete the work in His time, in His way and for His purpose—which is for our good. We are His poem, His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). We don’t have to worry or be anxious—His promise stands. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). When we keep our eyes fixed on things above, and not the circumstances, we can patiently endure and maybe even enjoy the process of the sometimes silent work He is doing in each of us which will one day be complete. I think this is His higher call: to enjoy His process.

Webster’s says: “Complete means to be brought to an end, concluded or total, absolute.” In Christ there’s a deeper meaning still: to express the final and entire attainment, leaving nothing behind to be desired or hoped for. Satisfied, fulfilled.

Each day I wake up knowing I have things to do, things that need to be completed. Most daily things never seem to be finished; it’s the same thing every day. But when looking at life from God’s perspective, everything should be an adventure in Him, watching what He will unfold because He is completing or finishing the work He began in me.

How can I embrace this truth? It’s not by looking for others to satisfy or complete me. It’s romantic to think my spouse will complete me, although it’s partly true. It’s only by resting in Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit’s peace to penetrate every part of me in spite of circumstances that I can be complete. I can enjoy the Lord’s Word, and worship Him for His unending goodness and grace. I can be thankful for His love and the confidence He gives, knowing He is working everything for good in His perfect and complete way and time. I need to step into this place, keeping focused on His hand and purpose, knowing He has planned even the seemingly unimportant. It’s important to Him.

“Dear Lord, I give over my incompleteness, knowing I’m complete in You in every way. I pray to know deeper still Your love that truly satisfies and completes me, that I may be usable in Your kingdom, being part of Your plan. Amen.”