Ruth Graham (the wife of famous evangelist Billy Graham) was once driving on a highway clogged by traffic. When the traffic finally began to speed up, she noticed a sign that said “End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.” She was fascinated by the thought that—like the highway—she was a PERSON under construction. She was so taken by this idea, that when she died, Ruth Graham had the words from that construction sign “end of construction, thank you for your patience” engraved on her gravestone as her epitaph.
Our new series is called “A Work In Progress.” Your construction and my construction will continue until the day we die. Just as Ruth Graham’s epitaph points out, we are a work in progress that will be complete only as we graduate to our eternal home. The fancy theological term for that is sanctification. God is working on you and He is working on me, sanding away the rough edges with the utmost of patience. Pastor Adam mentioned there probably have been days during this pandemic when you felt like you couldn’t take it anymore. Whether it be Zoom meetings, or home schooling, or not being able to go to the restaurants you like. But God has never felt that way about us. He knows we are a work in process and He is not in a hurry. It’s only US that get in a hurry for immediate gratification and results. The faith journey has sometimes been called “a long obedience in the same direction." (Eugene Peterson)
Pastor Adam pointed out that faith is trusting God. He is real. He is involved. He is personal. Godly maturity is simply trusting God in little things……..for a VERY LONG time. God is not in a hurry and is patient. How is your patience regarding your faith journey? How is your patience regarding God?
INVITATION: What would it look like in your life to make trusting God your highest priority? To have total confidence in God’s care, concern and involvement in your life on a day to day, moment by moment basis? Theologian Dallas Willard says, “Whatever the ultimate explanation of it, the most telling thing about the contemporary Christian is that he or she simply has no compelling sense that understanding of and conformity with the clear teaching of Christ is of any vital importance to his or her life, and certainly not that it is in any way essential.” Is the clear teaching of Christ essential in your life?
MONDAY: Philippians 1:3-6: In this letter, Paul warmly and joyfully expresses the confidence that God will complete the work of faith (the construction) and growth in those who are in Jesus. Paul’s prayer for them (and all believers) is that they may grow in love, in discernment and in the fruit of righteousness. It’s important to look at where we’ve been and where God might be taking us in our spiritual lives. (Psalm 77:11; 105:5; 143:5). If you have been following Jesus for a number of years, recall what your life was like at the beginning of your journey. How have you grown and developed? Consider journaling about this. If you are a more recent Christian, reflect on the promises and faithfulness of God, who calls you on to spiritual maturity. What specific aspect of hope or encouragement does this passage offer today?
TUESDAY: Genesis 3:1-6: We usually speak of the basic sin of Adam and Eve being disobedience. More specifically and accurately it was a lack of trust. They doubted what God told them. And they began to doubt that He had their best interest in mind. They didn’t trust Him and His words and instruction to them. Have you ever lived life doubting the words of God? How have you had the attitude and belief of “Did God really say….(fill in the blank)?” Likely Eve rationalized, justified and explained away her decision to violate God’s command by resorting to reasoning. Perhaps it sounded like this: “Apples are healthy and wisdom is good, so…….” When have you recently relied on human wisdom over God’s wisdom? Do you have some spiritual practices in place to regularly seek out God’s wisdom - - even about mundane things? Has it ever occurred to you that if God cares about the number of hairs on your head he might care about your daily decisions?
WEDNESDAY: John 14:1: Trust is the foundation of any great relationship. God doesn’t build His relationship with us based upon a set of rules, He builds it on trust. How have you learned to trust God in deeper ways during this pandemic? If you haven’t, how might you confess that and ask for God’s help moving forward?
THURSDAY: Matthew 8:1-3: The man with leprosy demonstrated faith in the ability of Jesus to make him clean. What would you like Jesus to “clean” for you today?
FRIDAY: Matthew 8:5-10: The Centurion was not a Jesus follower, yet recognized that Jesus did not need to physically come to his house in order to heal his paralyzed and suffering servant. In verse 9 it is clear the Centurion understands authority, and understood - and trusted - the authority of Jesus and God. What do you think of when you hear the term “the authority of Jesus?” Does that bring comfort or are you resistant toward it?
SATURDAY: I Corinthians 8:1: Our faith and our trust in God honor Him and thrill his heart. Knowledge alone “puffs up” and obedience alone can make us judgmental and legalistic. Our relationship with God is based on love and is transformational. Some people try to make it more of a transactional relationship, i.e. if we believe and “try harder” we might get things from God. Have you inadvertently turned your faith into something based on knowledge or obedience alone? Is you image of God somewhat transactional rather than submitting to the transformation by the one who “knit you in your mother’s womb?” (Psalm 139).