#TuesdayTruth Philippians 1:3-6
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
To be honest, I had another verse all picked out and ready to use for this week’s “Tuesday Truth.” Then…Monday happened…I didn’t sleep especially well and woke up later than I should have. I had to rush to get ready. Work was busy for both of us. We still did not make it to the grocery store. Then, the governor announced that we, as a gym, will not be in the first phase of re-opening, so will not able to open for at least a couple more weeks. Totally understandable (and not all that unexpected), but a bummer nonetheless. Then the questions come: How will this affect our business? What can we do to help our members who are missing out on being together? How can we get creative? What can we offer? What changes should we make? And so on, and so forth, the questions go. You know what I mean; you have had “Mondays” before too!
God is so funny, though. As I got in my car to head home, with these questions/thoughts swirling in my mind, the song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED was playing. I was struck by these lyrics:
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior”
Right there in the parking lot, I was brought to tears by our God’s goodness and His faithfulness. How many times have I sung that song and prayed for deeper faith? For Him to “take me deeper than my feet could ever wander?” Even as I prayed it, I knew that the process for deepening my faith would not be a comfortable/easy path.
The thing is, I know in my head that His “grace abounds in deepest waters.” I know that God has never failed and “won’t start now” (Those are additional song lyrics, by the way. It really is an excellent song, if you have never heard it). It is time for me to learn it and know it in my Spirit, at my soul-level. Just as the workouts at the gym develop my strength and stamina, so these difficult times are developing what I asked Him for so many times. So, I will praise Him for His goodness and for His faithfulness. I will thank Him for the opportunity to learn and grow in a season of discomfort and uncertainty.
I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He who started a good work in us, is carrying it on to completion. That is what He is doing right now. We do not understand, but we do not have to understand. He has always been faithful and will always be faithful. It’s who He is. There is no question about that. We can rely on the Father’s goodness, faithfulness, kindness and love that is beyond our understanding. After all, He started this “good work” and He will not leave it unfinished.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that our hope is not on our earthly circumstances, but on you and we can trust you. Thank you for answering our prayers for deeper faith. Thank you that even though I have little confidence in myself, I can have full confidence in you and your promises. You are so good to us, better than we could even ask or hope.
We love you Father, Amen.