Worried That You’ll Never Arrive?
These blog posts come to you from an imposing, six-foot long, solid oak desk that my parents bought me years ago as a housewarming gift. (Mom wanted to get me a dining room table, but when I went table shopping I saw this desk and oh the love.)
In the desk, there are three drawers on the right and two shelves on the left. The shelf on the left holds an unfinished scrapbook that has rested there since 2011.
But I’m going to work on it again just any time now…
Either that or someday my grandchildren are going to be sifting through my things and wonder what I was thinking when they find all the scrapbook supplies and this dusty, partly finished book.
I would be embarrassed, except I know you must have one of these well-begun projects somewhere in your house. Something you’re going to work on again someday, except you probably won’t.
Knowing we do this makes a verse I came across yesterday the greatest find:
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever… do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8 NIV)
Sometimes I feel like an unfinished scrapbook. I can look back and see much evidence of God’s work in me, to shape me to serve him. I can see a stack of pages complete. But when I look forward, it’s blank.
It feels, What if…never?
I have hopes for my future but nothing taped down.
But I gave my life to Jesus.
And he has a purpose FOR ME. A good one. And no matter how this one particular day goes that I’m about to start, he is going to be working, picture by picture, to complete what he has imagined for my life. (I wonder what he thinks “arrived” looks like?)
God finishes what he starts not because he’s type A or obsessive.
It’s because his love endures. The love that etched out the plan is the love that will finish the plan.Â
It’s the incomplete days that make me feel stuck on a shelf. Discouraged.
Maybe I should give up?
But the psalmist teaches me to lean on the Lord’s reputation for saying, It is finished. And if I really believe that is his character, then I am free to throw every ounce of energy into today, knowing it is taking me somewhere.
So if you’re saying, What if I never arrive? then let me remind you of three things:
The Lord loves you.
The Lord has a purpose for you.
The Lord accomplishes his purposes.
P.S. (No matter your age.)
I am feeling so uplifted right now. I took a break from my English major when I found out I was pregnant with our second child. Lately, I have felt a strong desire, almost a need, to write. For the first time ever, I feel a pull to really spread God’s word. Today, my husband told me to be patient because he may have figured out a way that I can stop working to care for our children full time and I would be able to finish school. (It would involve moving to what is hopefully a better place). To top it all off, tonight I find this post. Thank you! I am now going to add psalm 138:8 to my inspiration verses.
I’m so glad you were encouraged! Have you thought about blogging?
Thank you Christy – I really needed this today! God bless you and yours this Easter Day – I love how God speaks through your beautiful writing
Thank you, Jacqui! I had a lovely Easter day with family yesterday. Hope you did, too!
I feel like I could put this reply on “copy” and send it all the time! đŸ™‚ Thank you, Christy! I am so grateful today for the reminder that He loves me and despite my broken self, He can use me and grow me.
I’ll take that encouragement all the time!