Scripture: Philippians 1:6 CEB “I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” I once heard a comedian say to a group of women that if a man says he will do something they should take him at his word. He told the women in the audience, “If a man says he will do something, he will do it. You don’t have to keep bringing it up every six months!” Have you ever felt like that? Maybe there is a project around the house that you still haven’t finished. Perhaps there is a project at work that feels like it will never get done. It could be you have an idea for a book and it remains unwritten. Whatever it may be, it seems like there is always some unfinished stuff in our life. A lot of these things are projects that will eventually be completed. However, there are others that we just are not sure they will ever get accomplished. As I read the Apostle Paul’s words to the church at Philippi I am encouraged about my faith journey. There are two things that have always struck me when I read this verse. The first thing is that Jesus is the One who does amazing things in and through me. Paul writes, “I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” As the author of Hebrews puts it, Jesus is “the author and perfecter” of my faith. This takes the pressure off of me. My role in my faith journey is to continually yield my life to Christ. To abide in the One who starts and finishes the work He has begun in me. The second thing is that I am unfinished. This brings me great encouragement because I know that God is still working on me. I have more to become to reach the fullness of Christ in my walk with Jesus. There is something freeing in knowing that there is more to come. The assurance that Christ will complete what was started in me. Jesus is with me every moment of every day and will be so until the end. On the day of Christ Jesus, I will be complete. Today as you go through the day remember how much Jesus loves you. You are so loved that the author of all things became flesh and blood just for you. Jesus loved you enough to give his life for you. Through Jesus Christ, God offered us amazing grace to be saved from our sin. Because of God’s grace and your faith in Jesus Christ you are saved. You are God’s unfinished masterpiece. Everyday God adds some more to God’s work of art and makes you more complete. Jesus continues to be with you every single step along your journey. The promise that the One who began the good work in you is faithful to complete that work is powerful. Live today as though you are a masterpiece that is still being painted. Help others to see that they are a masterpiece as well. The One who paints the stars in the sky is still completing you. Prayer: God of creation, thank you for beginning your good work in me. I yield my life to your continuing work of creation. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. May I be more complete in my love of you today. May I love the people in my life more completely today than I did yesterday. I praise you for never leaving me and for the promise of completing your work in me. All praise be to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.