Be confident of this, Mike: I began a good work in in you, and I will keep it going until I’m finished, the day my Son returns. (Phil. 1:8 MK personal paraphrase)
Sometimes I can get discouraged, in fact I can get discouraged pretty easily. A criticism, a conflicted relationship, unmet expectations, a hard road…I know in my head that God will work things out. He always does. When I read this verse as a personal prayer to me, wow, it really does bring comfort. It brings confident assurance that things will be just fine.
Currently, I have so much to do between now and Easter. I’m not even sure what I’m going to do in some cases. I was actually starting to get worried, but this verse has a way of calming me down. “Don’t worry, don’t get discouraged,” says God, “I’m still carrying you.”
As I ponder this verse more, it is one that hits me in the bigger picture as well. Where am I going in life? Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? When I feel discouraged as a pastor, am I confident that He is the one who started this whole thing? Questions to ponder further throughout the day…