“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” Philippians 1:6 AMP

Have you ever felt as though construction in and around your city is never-ending? Do you find yourself becoming worn out on the detours and delays that come as a result? It is really no different with us, as human beings. We are always under construction. We have a path laid out for our lives, the ultimate and most fulfilling journey imaginable, but we are constantly trying to find shortcuts or better routes to different destinations than the one God designed for our lives.

We are all a work in progress. Just as one area of our lives gets put in order, it seems another area is in need of repair. Sometimes we get a complete overhaul, our truest selves beginning to emerge as a result. From the moment we are born, God is working in us. That work continues until we take our last breath. Rarely is the work easy or convenient, and all too often we are tempted to resist, complain, and seek another way. We frequently believe we can see a better, easier way towards our end game. We simply fail to take into account the one who knows all and sees all, relying on the information He is giving us with the understanding that it is much more reliable and beneficial than anything we could come up with ourselves.

I envision something akin to two people arguing over the best route to the airport. Each one firmly believes that their path is going to be the quickest and most efficient, and each one is shouting his or her argument to the driver at the wheel. Now, the driver is going to go the direction He is given, even though He knows what is truly the best route. He knows that if the passengers would allow Him to take the helm and decide where to turn and what to avoid, the journey would be much more enjoyable and efficient for everyone. He has access to traffic maps and a radio scanner and He is aware of all the detours and delays, as well as how to avoid them. Still, it is difficult for the passengers to sit back and focus on the ride, allowing the driver to determine the path to their destination.

How many times a day are we arguing with God through our actions? How often are we choosing to go our own way instead of seeking His guidance and following the path of His design? I don’t know about you, but I am often one seriously argumentative child. I get so focused on the way I believe something should happen, I lose sight of the fact that God may have a different idea on the matter. I forget to ask Him for His help in knowing what is best, in knowing what to do. Soon, I find myself lost and confused and overwhelmed by my own mess. What’s worse is that it’s a mess of my own creation.

In the face of recent losses and sources of pain in my life, I’ve allowed myself to become a bit isolated from the Word. For several months, I was reading from the Bible each and every night. During that time, I felt stronger and more balanced. During that time, I felt peaceful and loved. I believe we often underestimate the power of spending time each day completely still and focused on God’s word. “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” John 1:1 AMP

This scripture tells me that spending time with the Word is spending time with God. The Word of God is our greatest defense and our greatest weapon against the attacks of the enemy. As we spend time with God, becoming one with Him through the words He gave to us, we are strengthened and shored up against the challenges and hardships of life here on earth. When we allow ourselves to be distanced and separated from the Word, we allow a weakening of our armor, becoming much more vulnerable to the lies and tricks Satan will constantly use against us. Ephesians 6:17 AMP tells us, “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Every day, especially when I am struggling to keep my head above water, I am blessed with a visual representation of the gift of starting with a clean slate. To watch the sun rise over the water, see the reflections and shades of color that fill the sky, I am reminded that every day we have a chance to do better than we did the day before. Every day we can kneel before the Lord and ask Him to guide us through the hours ahead, helping us make our lives a reflection of that beautiful sunrise. We cannot undo what has been done, and we cannot face what hasn’t arrived yet. All we can do is use the day we are given, whether clear or cloudy, whether hot or cold, and use it to magnify His love and glory in this world…just as the rising of the sun magnifies His true majesty with the coming of every dawn. When we do our best to do what He asks of us, He will fulfill the righteous desires of our hearts.

“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 AMP