How many of you made resolutions this year?
I used to make them, but found it was very frustrating because I always seemed to break them.
It didn’t matter if it was something positive like losing weight or getting in shape.
It didn’t matter if it was trying new things or breaking bad habits like biting my nails (that one has been going on for many decades); making those changes never seemed to become a reality.
As a result, I never make resolutions anymore…

That being said, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to see changes in my life because I do.
Losing weight, getting in shape, stop biting my nails… and the list goes on and on, are things I still want to happen.

Since reaching 50 and this being a start to a new year, it has given me a chance to reflect on life.
You start to think about goals you once had and the many changes that have taken place.
Hair gets thinner, eyes get darker, and the body begins to give in to the effects of gravity… what happened?
But then you think about accomplishments and milestones.
Got married, had two kids who are now, got into ministry and becoming a grand parent in the next couple months…
Looks pretty good!

But then you stop and take a look in the mirror at yourself and think about the changes in you and about you that you want to see and you ask… “Will it ever happen?”
Some of them are still in the realm of possible, but most seem impossible.

My favourite verse in the Bible is from Philippians 1:6.
Paul writes, “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.”
Why do I love this verse?
I love that God finishes what He starts.

In contrast, I don’t always finish what I start or it takes me a considerably longer time than it should.
I will start a project, get all excited about it and then lose interest in it and not finish it adequately.
And I know I’m not alone.
I think many of us can be like that.
How many books have we started and left it on the bookcase or side table after a few chapters?
How many projects do we have a work that are still in the process of accomplishing?
How many husbands still have things to finish on their “honey do” lists?

I can remember it took me 2 years to wallpaper our kitchen… the wallpaper sat in the kitchen the whole time!
I knew someone who used to work for the CRA who had files on his desk for years which he never touched…

So the question remains, “Why do we do that?”
Maybe its from a lack of resources or power, but if truth be told, it is often from a lack of desire.

I’m glad God isn’t the same when He works in us.
I’m glad He doesn’t lose interest or set us aside to work on something else.
He finishes everything He begins.
He will finish the work He has begun in your life!
Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He is “the author and finisher of our faith.”

I know for myself and probably for all of us, we can get impatient with the changes we hope and want to see in our lives.
These changes are all good things.
They might be bad habits or a temptation that needs to be nipped in the bud.
Maybe we want to be more loving to our spouse or children?
Maybe we want to be more compassionate to the marginalized or share our faith more?
Regardless, sometimes we can get so down on ourselves and frustrated that change is happening slowly if at all.

But that is where Philippians 1:6 comes in.
It helps us to put things in perspective.
Notice that Paul didn’t say, “You who began a good work in you.”
Rather, he said, “He who began a good work in you…”
God is at work in you!
This good work isn’t for us to finish, it is up to God to finish.

Imagine going up to an artist, say a painter and asking if you can finish her painting for her.
How do you think it would turn out?
When it comes to our lives it is not for us to work it out, it is for God to do it in us.
We do a part in it, but the primary instigator and “artist” is God.

Now, we can be resistant to the work that God is doing.
We do have a choice which can sabotage our lives.
We can (and do) make poor choices and do bad things, even as followers of Christ.
In spite of that, God still will work in and through that…
All we need to do is co-operate with Him.

I have often shared about looking into the mirror to gain perspective on ourselves and life.
Philippians 1:6 is one of those mirrors because it helps us to see beyond ourselves to the God who is at work in and behind the scenes.

So I want to leave you with this encouragement.
Change is happening in each of our lives.
Sometimes it is subtle and sometimes it is very obvious.
Regardless, don’t be discouraged so much by what you see, rather trust Him who has promised to transform us into the image of His Son.

Will it be easy?
Probably not.
Will it be painful?
Probably… but the result will be beautiful.
How long will it take?
A whole lifetime.

Ephesians 2:10 says this (NLT), “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
He is creating a masterpiece out of your life.
Masterpieces take time…

Be patient and trust God that the work He is doing in your will be glorious because His promise is, it will!