The Joy of the Unfinished: Day 7 of Joy
He is tender toward you.
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6-8 CSB
We often fall into the trap of thinking joy is a reward for crossing the finish line. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be joyful when the project is done, when the kids are grown, or when I’ve finally mastered this habit.” This mindset creates an anxious environment where we are always waiting for a future that hasn’t arrived yet. But the Apostle Paul, writing from a literal prison cell, offers an unsinkable alternative.
Paul’s joy wasn’t based on his circumstances being finished or perfect. In fact, he was in chains, and the churches he loved were facing intense pressure. Yet, he was “sure of this”: God is the one who starts the work, and God is the one who finishes it. This is the recipe for lasting peace. Our joy isn’t tied to our own ability to hold everything together; it is anchored in the diligence of the Divine Architect.
When you realize that your life is a work in progress held in the hands of a Master, you can stop judging yourself. You are allowed to be “unfinished.” The message here is that God doesn’t lose interest in the messy middle of our stories. He is just as committed to you on Day 7 as He was on Day 1. This realization gives us confidence—not because we are perfect, but because the One carrying us is.
The 90/10 Rule of the Unfinished
[read this article to learn more about the 90/10 rule]
The 10%: Your current state—the flaws, the incomplete goals, the “imprisonment” of difficult circumstances, and the feeling that you have so far to go.
The 90%: The character of God as the Finisher. He started the work, He is carrying it on, and He is the one who guarantees the completion.
If you focus on the 10 percent of your “unfinished” life, you will live in constant anxiety. But when you give the 90 percent of your attention to His faithfulness, you find the joy of the journey. You can walk on waves today because you aren’t the one keeping the water firm—He is.
Identify one area of your life that feels “messy” or incomplete right now. Instead of stressing over how you will finish it, stop and say out loud: “He who started this work is faithful to complete it.” Hand it back to Him and get some rest.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You that I don’t have to be finished to be loved. I praise You for being the Author and the Finisher of my faith. When I feel disappointed by my own progress or overwhelmed by my circumstances, anchor my heart in Your faithfulness. Thank You for the joy of knowing that You are carrying me toward completion. Amen.
We made it through the first seven days of the 30-day series! Are you enjoying? Has there been anything that’s encouraged or inspired you over the past week? If so, leave a comment or send an email (our@faithsaves.us). Also consider sharing the devotionals with your friends and family.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/joy-series-faith-saves-us