July 27 - A Diamond In The Rough

Read Philippians 1:3-11

Context: Philippians was written by Paul to the people of Philippi to thank them for their gift and to provide a missionary report on the work he has done.

Text:
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)

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Verse six is one of those that gives me great hope on the days when everything seems to go wrong. God has started his work in each one of us who believes, but he's not done yet. Many times I'd like for him to rush the process and finish already, but that's not his way. Just like turning coal into diamonds, it takes a lot of time and pressure to transform this flesh into something wonderful.

No matter how I fail, he will continue to work on me until I have completed the plan he has for my life. But for him to do his work, I have to show up in the workshop. I've noticed that each day I don't stick with my part of the bargain (to pray, read the word, and do my best to live a righteous life), I lose three or four steps in the process.

God has great things in store for us, but we have to be ready to receive them. He will keep the pressure of daily life strong, because that is the only way we will turn to him for help. Each time we call on him, in thanksgiving or need, he polishes our spirit just a little more so we can eventually shine and sparkle the way he intends.

How has he worked in you so far this year?