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Apr 03, 2026 06:00am

You’re Not Finished Yet

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When we built our home in 2017, we had a plan, the builders to do the work, and a clear picture of what the finished product would look like. As a year of building came to a close and the project neared completion, I was a little disappointed.

This didn’t look exactly like my picture.

There was no railing on the front porch. The basement concrete was exposed because there was no rock covering it. The rafters showed in the downstairs patio, with the recessed lighting and wires exposed. And there was a door on the side of the house that led nowhere—no steps, no garage like we had planned, just a random door.

Does this mean I can’t live in it? Does it mean I can’t enjoy my home? Is it only useful if it’s complete?

Well, of course not. This is a work in progress.

Here we are several years later, and there are still projects to be done. But throughout the years, we’ve lived a good life in it.

We’ve shared laughter and meals together as a family. We’ve given gifts, played games, poured countless cups of coffee for conversation, and hosted dear friends and family for overnight stays and porch sitting. We’ve cried and mourned during loss, but we have also shared memories together.

Even though this home is a work in progress, it is filled with joy.

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” — Philippians 1:3–6

We are a work in progress too.

There’s just something joyful and reassuring about that.

Paul wrote this letter to the Christians at Philippi. This church began about 10 years before this letter, when Paul visited the area on his second missionary journey. He had shared the truth about Christ with them, discipled them, and planted the church. He was now writing to them from prison to encourage them.

He said God was still working in their lives.

It didn’t mean they couldn’t live life and serve the Lord while they waited for the day of completion. They could still do the work Christ had called them to do.

They could invite people to the table, share the gospel, pray, encourage, serve, love, learn, and give—

Even if they didn’t know everything.

Even if they still struggled in their faith.

Even if they still had questions.

God would still use them.

Because we are still a work in progress.

None of us have it all figured out. Just when we think we know something, God opens our eyes to something incredible. He’s still working on our character, humility, pride, obedience, love, and forgiveness.

But don’t let that stop you from sharing the truth of the gospel with the world. You may feel like you have a door that leads nowhere in your house, but God’s not done yet. One day, that door may open to something brand new.

He’s not finished yet.

But one day, He will finish the work He began. And oh, what a glorious day that will be!

How is God still working in your life? Does it bring you joy to know He’s not finished with you yet?

Maybe you’re curious about Jesus and what it means to have a relationship with Him. Go to follow.lifeword.org to learn more about becoming a truly devoted follower of Jesus.