“And so, I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 Good News Bible)
Three houses down from my house, on the opposite side of the street, there lives a woman who faithfully, and quietly works on her front yard, every single day. She’s planting flower, picking up debris, decorating it with stones, mulch, and rocks, and during special seasons she display things that match the season. However, there was one thing odd about her yard, or at least something I could not figure out.
Usually, the well-kept front lawn, is adorned with green grass that is free from weeds and blanket with grass from one side of the yard to the other side. A couple of months ago I noticed a few spots where the grass had been dug up and you could just see patches or paths of brown dirt. Countless times I drove by, wondering what happened. I never saw any plumbing contractors parked in front of her house. There were never any kids playing on the lawn who could possibly be blamed to killing the grass by stomping on the yard. There were no signs of moles or any other underground creatures being the cause for the changed appearance of the yard. I was left to wonder, “What’s the purpose? Why had the yard been given this new and eye-sore look?”
Well, this week, I got my answer. I just had to wait for it. In one of the bare spots on the yard, a small pond had been created. On one bare, short path, a variety of beautiful, eye-catching flowers had been planted. In another bare spot where the grass had been removed, there was a large, leafy plant covering that entire area. Note now, this hard-working lady is not just a retiree trying to do something to pass the time, she is a landscape designer in my estimation, an expert who patiently and regularly, day after day, tends to her field. While the finished look has probably not been achieved yet, she had done a great job thus far, and she continues her work. To see the final result of her diligent care and effort, we are just going to have to wait some more. As a matter of fact, most of the times you pass her and wave to her as she works in the yard, she just stares at you. I suspect that silently she is saying, knowing how people are, “Wait for it.”
Think of yourself as part of God’s workmanship. Take a good look at yourself! See how He has worked on you relentlessly and regularly! Look at how he has designed you so far! Onlookers who have looked at you did not know what was going on with you as He has kept performing His designer work with on you, that you might serve a purpose, His purpose, and be presented as new to all the people who pass by you regularly. They notice your newness and how you have changed for the better, day after day.
Being honest, sometimes people just saw a mess, a work-in- progress, but God knew what He was doing. Sometimes you yourself even wondered what God was doing with the landscape called your life. As with the woman’s lawn above, others and yourself, you all had to wait to see the outcome, and then anxiously look for progressive, positive changes, new outcomes, daily. Aware that you know your Bible pretty good, I’m sure you are thinking where Paul wrote, “He that began a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Christ.” God is still working on you! He is not done. You have to wait for it.
Yes, you realize that you will face changes orchestrated by the Gardner on high inasmuch as you acknowledge that He is still working on you. What is the outcome going to be? I don’t know, but I do know that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. I do know that your appearance, in terms of behavior and reverence, will change in such a way that your demeanor, your decisions, and your devotion say, “God is doing this great work in me!” Rejoice! God continues, like the lady who faithfully works on her yard! He continues to work on you and me to make us better. What will we look like in the future? I’m positive, if you remain submissive and receptive to His work, that your appearance to the world will lit up as you are the product of His handiwork. What will you look like in the days, months, and years to come? I don’t know, but I would say that the word “better” is an appropriate answer.
We just have to wait for it and allow the Lord to finish what He started in us. Have a great Saturday. Don’t forget to attend worship service tomorrow. God will do some of His continuing work on you while you are there. That’s a good thing! That’s a very good thing! It’s time for a “praise time out,” don’t you think? Even of you don’t understand all that you are going through, praise the Lord for taking you through and designing you to be “better.” Be blessed!
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King