His W.I.P.

…the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put His finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!   (Philippians 1.6. TPT)



Philippians is one of my favorite books so I’ve read this scripture many times. But recently, God shared some new insights. Don’t you love it when that happens?

As I mulled over the verse, I got a little nudge, which always makes me sit up and take notice. Then I heard a little whisper: “You’re my W.I.P.”

Me: “Really?”

Him: “Uh huh.”

Me: “Wow.”

If you’re unfamiliar with the acronym, W.I.P, in the world of a writer, it refers to a current manuscript or project.

A ‘Work In Progress.’

So God wanted me to know I was His work in progress? Time to dig a little deeper…

The one who began this glorious work in you…

Some days it’s hard to see the glorious work He’s begun in me. Life clouds my vision. Distractions, drudgery, crisis, and the mundane vie for my attention.

Then there's the worry and fret factor. What if my actions (or inaction) sabotage His work? What if I get in the way or worse, mess up something important? I’d never want to disappoint Him or miss the mark. Ever feel like you’re your own worst enemy?

We need to remember: God started the work and He…

…will faithfully continue… 

He’s committed to see it through, this work He’s begun in me. He won’t throw in the towel and neither should I. When I’m discouraged, want to take the easy route, or struggle to keep going, He will faithfully continue. Can I do any less?

…the process of maturing you…

Oh, this doesn’t sound good. What does it take to be matured? Think back to when you were a teen. You thought you knew everything and your parents were idiots. They just ‘didn’t understand’. Or you stubbornly rebelled against their authority.

It may have taken tough love and lots of discipline for them to get through to you.

At least God is kind and gentle as He grows us up--even when it doesn't always feel like it.

 …and will put his finishing touches to it…

He continues to mature us and we continue to progress. Step by step. Little by little. Despite failures, setbacks, lack of cooperation, and bad attitudes, all so we can get His ‘finishing touches’.

…until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Someday there will be the wonderful unveiling, the result of His perfect craftsmanship. It’s a day we long for. But until then...

He thinks so highly of us, His treasured W.I.P., that He never gives up. Even when we kick, scream and need a little ‘extra attention.’

We have His promises: He begins. He continues. He matures. And He will reveal the finished product.

It’s a process.
A work in progress.
Because He loves us.

I have a manuscript that languishes in the cobwebby recesses of my computer hard drive. I started it in 2010, did the second half in 2012, walked away, then came back to it several years later. I’ve slogged through edits, gotten distracted, and lost interest, yet I fully plan on returning to it one day. I won’t give up on it. It is my perpetual W.I.P.

And I am His.

Chosen

I love it when God teaches me things through others, in daily life (good and bad), and even through Facebook. Who’d a thought that God was into social media?

It started when Kip (Gordon) posted about his son being injured while bull riding. First of all, I’m enamored at the fact that I even know someone who rides bulls (it IS Michigan, after all) and that anyone would be brave enough to willingly do such a thing. Guess it falls under the guise of being young and fearless.
 

Kip poured out his heart after his son’s accident. It struck such a chord with me, he has graciously given me permission to share (in part).

Photo Credit: Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15.13  NIV)

That's my son, Cayden, knocked out on the floor of a rodeo arena after being thrown from a bull and landing on his head. That man standing guard and the other laying his body over my son is to protect him while the 2000 plus pound bull roams around looking for his next victim. They are my heroes.

There were no private discussions to see if my son was worthy of getting their help. Not once did they check to see if my son's parents voted Republican or Democrat, not once did they ask, before laying over the top of my son and standing guard over his body if his mother and father were pro-abortion, or pro-life, wanted secure or open borders, or which news channel we watched.

No, they saw a human who needed immediate help and they set everything else aside to come to his rescue and to protect him, even if it meant the possibility of losing their lives. America could take a lesson from these gentlemen.

Photo Credit: Carol Tucker

I know they believed that they were just doing their job but it's bigger than that. Running from a bull is one thing, laying your perfectly alert and fully functioning body over someone who is helpless, just to do all you can to ensure that person lives is far beyond just doing your job. I was able to take my son home that next morning and I will be eternally grateful for it. Thanks gentlemen for your selfless dedication to keeping a stranger safe without counting the possible cost to yourselves. You guys rock.

I was very moved by Kip’s story of people that laid down their lives for a friend just as Jesus taught us. Without thought or care for their own safety, these brave men protected Cayden until he could be removed from the ring and taken for medical treatment. Fortunately, he is going to be okay.

I looked up the passage in John—it’s a familiar one—but God always has something new to say. . .

So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends. (John 15.12-13  TPT)

Jesus commands us to ‘love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you.’  Sacrificially. Demonstrated by laying down our life for a friend.

As the brave men did for Cayden. As Jesus chose to do for us.

Shortly after reading Kip’s post, I “stumbled” on this from my friend Tara Moore, who graciously allowed me to share (in part):

You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen. . . .you. (John 15.16 TPT)

God—chose—me!

Yes, you! He didn’t decide to adopt you because of your family history, your impeccable past, or your abilities. He didn’t reject you because of a lack of those things, either.

He saw all the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life, yet He still desired for you to be a part of His family. What’s more, He sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer the excruciating pain of the cross to ensure that you could come into His family.

God chose me! I am not an accident; I am not a mistake. Regardless of where I am from or what I have done, because of Jesus, I am a child of God!

Because He chooses to love us deeply, we can do the same for others. Laying down our lives for our friends. Sacrificially.

Oh, I hope it won’t involve a bull chasing me.

But if it does?

I guess He’ll make sure I can outrun it.