This morning I decided to start reading at the beginning of Philippians and I was thankful for the sweet reminder that Paul shared with the church of Philippi.
Philippians 1:4-6
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.
I haven’t had that reminder in a while: HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION!
God is no respecter of persons — meaning what He did for one, He will do for another. If it was His desire to complete the work He began in the church of Philippi, then He will complete the good work He began in YOU. BE ENCOURAGED.
I love the story of the little tea cup who screamed as it was being created. I’m sure most of you have heard it. The Potter worked it out of a lump of clay, molded it into a beautiful cup. He placed it in the fire, the cup screamed from being so uncomfortable (sounds like us, eh?). The Potter smiled at the cup and said, “Not yet” as He left the cup in the heat. After letting it cool on the shelf He painted the cup then placed it back into a stronger fire. The end result, a beautiful, rare cup for all to admire.
The Potter completed the work. If He had stopped in the middle of the process, the cup wouldn’t have been usable OR beautiful.
Isaiah 64:8
Yet You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
Just like the clay, we whine and scream when we are molded, stretched, painted, and placed in the fire. But I am convicted when I read Paul’s attitude while in prison. He was thankful to be there since it was giving other Christians BOLDNESS to proclaim the gospel. He used that time to encourage others.
We can learn so much from Paul’s example, and I am grateful that he was led to remind us all that GOD WILL COMPLETE THE GOOD WORK HE BEGAN IN US.
Are you in a season of sitting on the shelf — cooling/resting? No worries, the Potter has a plan and will continue His work on you, His beautiful creation.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Just in case you didn’t figure out my title. That was George Jetson’s cry when he was on the dog walk. I compared it to the Potter’s wheel. Get it?)
Good post, but I must confess I was totally confused until your explanation at the bottom, LOL. I was thinking of Jane that worked at the corn maze ??? trying to figure out what she had to do with what you were talking about. Love ya
Oh, yes, I have a tendency to whine and complain when I'm going through a tough time! This is a great post, Beth…really has me thinking. 🙂
Please tell me that's not a recent pic of your pretty toes outside…NO WAY is it that warm here. We have snow on the ground and they're calling for more snow next week!
Hugs
It's so evident from Paul's writing that in those dark times he was in, that was when the Spirit had molded him to His likeness.
I am facing a new trial at work but I'm glad that you reminded me that He Who is in us is faithful to complete what He started in each of us. Glory be to God! Have a great weekend sister Beth…
Great post, Beth! And yes, the title definitely threw me!!
~Beth
Great Scripture especially from Jeremiah. I knew right away the quote from the Jetsons. Love it Beth. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Great post…I posted the story of the tea cup when I first began blogging last year and I still go back and re-read it…Joyce Meyers had used it in her message and it speaks such truth. Yea, He will finish what He has started
I am definitely the whining tea cup some days!! I am so thankful that God does not stop that wheel no matter how much I beg Him to though!! 🙂
Thank you for this post. It reminds me of a poster I saw last week in my computer class. It tells the story of a moth that never complete the process of transforming into a butterfly, because a man decided to help it from its struggle from its 'shell'. The assistance rendered it mis-shapened and unable to fly for the remainder of its life. You so if the struggle was what would have released oils to coat its body. Without struggles in our lives how could we develope strong spiritual muscles?
God bless you :o)