Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Just Beginning

God is the one who began
this good work in you…

Philippians 1:6a (CEV)

Grace is one of my earliest memories. She passed away several years ago but her imprint has left its mark because Grace assumed the best in everyone. When walking on the pier no one was able to pass by without her calling out a hello or engaging them in a conversation about the catch of the day. She didn’t see anyone as anything other than God’s good work.

It isn’t always easy to accept those that we meet, or live with, as God’s good work. We know all the weak spots of those we love and when seeing a street person we give them a wide berth. Too many times my own instinct, unfortunately, isn’t to see God’s good work in those that I find troublesome. But, of course, I want to be seen as a good work in progress!

From our beginnings God saw that what He had created was good. Grace claimed this by living it out in her life, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, believing that what she saw wasn’t the finished product. There was hope of a completed good work in everyone.

Having the eyes of God; seeing that He has begun a good work in everyone—this is how I want to live. With this vision, while I may see that a person’s behavior, choices or attitude are far from being good, I can trust that God knows what he began and he knows how the finished product is supposed to look.

Father, thank you for the good work you have begun in me..
Help me to see everyone as Your good work, in progress.
Amen.

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