Timestamps

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Jesus is at work.

Whatever is going on right now in your messy life is a part of Jesus’ work. Paul wrote—from a prison!—that he had confidence that Jesus was at work in our lives. No prison was outside Jesus’ work. He said in Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (ESV). He was sure of it.

There are two timestamps noted in that verse, the beginning of the good work and the completion. Only one person gets the credit for either, and that is Jesus Christ. He began it, and he will complete it. He won’t leave it undone. He won’t leave it for someone else to do. So whatever is happening in between those timestamps is also a part of whatever it is he is up to.

If you have put your hope in Jesus, that’s thanks to Jesus himself. He began something in you one day when he grabbed your attention. Maybe since then, you’ve made a mess. Or maybe since then, a mess has been dropped on your doorstep. Chances are, both messes are true! Do not despair! Jesus is at work with you on those messes.

If he has a plan for the completion of this era, that plan involves every single person in whom he began a good work, including you. So I don’t know what you need to do about this. Maybe keep on trusting in him. Maybe cast your eyes up to him. Maybe answer his call on your conscience and repent of your sin. Maybe do the hard thing he is calling you to do, trusting in his power. Maybe something else entirely. He’ll tell you. Jesus will make sure you know.

While you live in between the timestamps, you can be sure of one thing above all: In you, Jesus is at work.