Christ Formed in You
Scripture Reading — Philippians 1:3-11
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Are you a person who sees a half glass of water as half full—or half empty? These are two very different ways of looking at life.
For much of my life, I saw God as checking me out in a half-empty-glass sort of way. I had so many character flaws. Fear often paralyzed me from doing the right thing. If folks knew what really went on in my heart and mind—well, it would be “game over” for me. It seemed that the best survival strategy was to hide my heart and pretend I was doing great.
But God sees us as a glass half full. He has begun a good work in us! Wow, there’s so much to be thankful for! Christ is being formed in us. Even if you are not a Christ-follower, the fact that you are reading this is part of a good work that God is beginning in you! The good work that God has begun in you is like a launchpad filled with hope, commitment, gratitude, and courage to keep on being formed in Christ.
Think of yourself as being “under construction.” God is doing good things in you. And God has many more good things that he will do.
So in his strength let us all “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Thank you, Lord, for the good work you have begun in me. Continue your work as I seek to run the race you have marked out for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Syd Hielema
Syd Hielema serves the Christian Reformed Church in North America as director of a ministry project called Connections II. He has also served with Faith Formation Ministries, as a professor of theology and youth ministry at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, and as a chaplain and professor at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario. Syd has been married to Evelyn for 43 years, and they enjoy bird watching near their home in Ancaster.
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