A Work in Progress

Baby Lu is a work in progress. She obviously does not know how to use a spoon and I'm hopeful that she will soon progress to that ability.

Measle, shown during a cleaning frenzy today, has made great strides in the area of chores and responsibilites. Once so spoiled that I feared there was no undoing it, she is now showing real progress.

We are each a work in progress in that time marches on and carries us forward with it. But progress is a tricky word fraught with subjectivity. To some progress means nationalized healthcare and to others it means a return to the gold standard. See what I mean? Two mutually exclusive events (at least in my humble opinion) and yet each is considered progress by its respective proponents. To some progress is to give women more "freedom of choice" and to others it is to protect the lives of the unborn. In the book Better Off, Eric Brende challenges our 21st century definition of technology as progress. He and his wife embark on an 18 month experiment to test whether the technology we've become dependent upon has really made us "better off". But I digress.

In the Bible, there is one standard of good, a Holy God and His perfect law. Therefore, progress is clearly defined as forward movement in the direction of holiness.

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." Ephesians 5:1

"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." 1 Pet 1:15

A tall order. An impossible one, in fact, but that God Himself fills the very order that He has given.

"...of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14

"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13

I love this picture of Twinkle Toes weaving together her work of art, one piece of yarn at a time. That's what God does with His children. He is working in us making us into a masterpiece that will glorify Him. Don't be discouraged if you can't see it. His work isn't finished, yet.

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter, and all we are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6