Little Lessons 1: Persistence

SCRIPTURE:  There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:6 MSG

THOUGHT: When I came to full faith as a broken human being (I always had a little faith, but I never really trusted God), I was completely overwhelmed at the mess my life was in. I was 43 and broken vocationally, relationally, and every other -ally you could think of too. But part of what got broken was my belief that I could do this life on my own, and for that I am grateful. God began to teach me that when I partnered with him rather than running from him; when I made him part of my story rather than running from my story, I didn’t need to do it on my own. God of the Universe promised me, broken on the floor, that he wasn’t finished with me yet. I needed to be persistent and he needed my permission to work. So, I’ve given that over and over again – crawling off the alter as they say, then coming back again. God is good, and God’s work is good. He will finish what he started.

Forever seemed so far away when I was young

I made my choices, took my lumps, and time was long.

And against all odds, my fears were small, my hope was strong;

But I feel myself surrender to an unfamiliar song…still

It isn’t done

Until You say it’s done;

Until Your work is finished, and

My last, hard race is run.

I need those eagle’s wings

And fiercer Spirit winds

And strength to rise again

Until You say it’s done.

Amy Clemens, DONE, 9.11.14

PRAYER: Faithful God, thank you that you are persistent too, far more than I. I will hold on to the hope you’ve given me that I am your workmanship.