Becoming

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

For Insight

When I was growing up there were three people I loved to hang out with. They were my mother, my grandmother, and my aunt Mary. Later, I would add my older sister to this list of favorites. She taught me to appreciate things like strawberry custard, cold pizza for breakfast, Peanut Butter Captain Crunch and chocolate cake mixed into vanilla ice cream among other delights no teenager should go without experiencing.

For obvious reasons I loved my mother’s company. She was loving and a good listener and a woman with a unique sense of humor. My grandmother was a nurturer, helped me develop my love for the Lord, and a good work ethic. Time with her meant working hard and appreciating doing a good job to please her and myself.

My aunt Mary was different altogether. She was not everyone’s favorite aunt. She was difficult to understand. In fact, I’m just learning to understand and appreciate many qualities about her I didn’t at the time. I loved how she taught me life lessons using the activity we were doing. Like the time we were walking downtown, and I split the pole. She went to the right and I to the left and she quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me to the side she was on. “Cheryl”, she said, “never split a pole. A house divided against cannot stand.” Another time I made a mistake as we were making rolls together and she told me “don’t get so upset about that. Remember you’re still becoming.” “Becoming what Aunt Mary?” “Becoming whatever God wants you to be.” My young mind thought Aunt Mary was different, but a good different. Years later I discovered Jesus said the same things Aunt Mary was telling me only in a different way.

To be a work in progress means to be a project that is underway, but not yet complete. Biblically speaking, to be a work in progress refers especially to an artistic endeavor. To be a piece of (art)work that is still incomplete, undergoing or ongoing development. God is the Sculptor, the Master Artist. Paul wrote “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10).    

It’s not uncommon to drive down the street and see signs posted that say, “Men-At-Work” These signs inform us that something is going on in that area or just ahead of us. We know how to watch for some kind of construction activity. In fact the area may look worse before it looks better. We are being prepared to do good works, to be better reflections of Jesus, godlier and more Christlike in our character, attitude, and behavior.

This kind of work is ongoing. None of us are born with the capacity to be like God. Godly or Christlike character does not just happen. It takes time, the Holy Spirit working in us to develop and the grace of God to accompany us on our journey, through our mistakes and rough spots. Jesus was doing miracles and the disciples were amazed but Jesus told them “These and greater works shall you do” (John 14:12). We will not just wake up one day and start doing good works or greater things, we need God graciously working in us through the Holy Spirit as we abide in the Vine.

One last thing. Anything under construction can get messy. A street under construction can look terribly messy. A piece of artwork can look messy while it’s still being worked on. We might look at it and think “where is the artist going with this piece?” Sometimes, I start cleaning my office and I must be patient with the mess that exists until I can work through it. These lives we have, even in the hand of God and under the grace of God can become messy. We’re not a pretty sight. But God is willing to stick with us because he knows the end result will be one fantastic piece of artwork. It’s not about what we have been or even what we are, it’s about what we are becoming.             

Dear God, thankyou for this reminder. I’m not complete. That won’t happen on earth. The final product won’t be finished until my very last breath but I’m so happy I am definitely a work-in-progress and still becoming. Amen   

Ask Yourself

What analogy would you use about yourself on your becoming journey?

Can you sense God at work in your                                         ?         

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