A Work in Progress

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6

We are a work in progress you and I; none of us are finished… some, newer than others but all an ongoing construction site. Some have wires hanging loose, or the air is filled with the lingering dust of newly cut wall-board or rough-cut wood.

Some have exposed areas in their walls… while other walls are near completion. In others… the foundation is being worked while others have a leaky roof. Yet the work continues on.

The owner is almost never seen. His voice is heard by a minority who listen intently. Yet his blueprint is open for all to read. The owner has a vast array of workers. They come in all sizes, shapes, and dispositions-no one knows if they are good or evil workers-in this the owner does not discriminate. The owners focus is the task at hand, changing our lives.

These workers are those who cut you off in traffic. The folks at work who rub you raw. Those who gossip behind your back. Those who take and give little in return. The person who burns a hole in your heart by harsh words and ridicule. These workmen and workwomen do not know the pain they cause… or the wonderful work they accomplish in our lives.

For they cut off the extra that is unseemly, unattractive, and unproductive. They saw off our pride, our pretensions, and our falsehoods. They hammer-home our frailty and help bring us to humility. Their harsh treatment teaches us forgiveness and mercy.

Their work on the wreck of our lives brings forth beauty, wisdom, and nobility that cannot be measured with a yard-stick or corrected by a carpenters square. For the construction site is our heart, our character, and our spirit.

The owner comes by from time to time—looks over the ciaos of construction—gives us an approving smile and then the workers resume their tasks on our lives.

We are a work in progress. In this we all share. We are all the same. The same blueprint applies to all, written by God, who commissions others to work His work in our lives.

When we view the construction in another’s life and desire to criticize or complain its good that we remember our own work in progress, our own broken life, and show encouragement instead. In times of hardship this is the best that we can do for others…

Heavenly Father, thank you for the work that you are working in our hearts and lives. Thank you for the agents that you use—these who cause us much hurt so that we can draw closer to you—so that our hearts are changed. We are thankful for your great mercy and goodness is working so in our lives.