"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phillipians 1:6 ESV)
This is one of the more well known verses in the Bible which always makes it difficult to think freshly about it. The apostle Paul has been writing about how excited and grateful he is for the Phillipian church and all that they have and are doing for him and then he says, coming out of this, that he is certain of what God will continue doing with them. Why is he certain? He's certain because he has seen their Christian faith in practical and physical ways. 'Actions speak louder than words' goes the old phrase and there is a lot of truth in it. Good intentions and nice words, whilst helpful, are only beneficial if they are carried through into actions. I am struck by how easy it is to say you'll do something, but it is a lot harder to then follow through with those actions, particularly in very relational areas such as contacting someone to find out how they're doing, sending a text/email/card to say your thinking or praying for someone or finding a way of serving someone practically. I don't even need to go beyond my own home to see how difficult it is to consistently and constantly serve and care for my wife and kids. Remembering to arrange regular Date Nights for Ros and myself, spending time getting into the lives of Ruth and Nathan can be so difficult when time is at a premium and yet it is this type of activity that leads Paul to say to the Philippians that he knows that God will continue to bless, grow and develop them in the good things that they are doing. I find it so encouraging to remember that everything good and a blessing will be continued and supported by God until the end.
The faith, love, encouragement and support that the Phillipian church has been to Paul, speaks volumes to us of the good work which God has prepared for us. It doesn't need to be preaching to thousands or running the greatest compassionate ministry around, it simply needs to be sending a message of support and care to a friend in need, helping someone to keep going in the midst of pain, cooking a meal for someone who can't do it for themselves at the moment. What God has started in each one of us, he will bring to completion. We can be certain of it, even though we sometimes doubt it ourselves.
Lord, help me to know that you want to grow, extend and complete the work you have started in me. Help me remember that I am not the finished article and that I don't have to accept my weaknesses and limitations. Work in my life each and every day to make me more like You so that on that great and final day, I can hear those wonderful words - 'well done, good and faithful servant.' I am a work in progress - bring it to completion, Lord. In your will and time, Amen.
