Allow me to remind you of something you may have forgotten. It’s a quotation from the New Testament:

...God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His work within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns (Philippians 1:6).

Thanks giving, a nostalgic reminder that God has indeed “shed His grace on thee.” Time to gain new perspective. To think about what. And where. And why. This implies change; it’s during this season the foliage changes. And the weather changes. And time changes. Birds make their annual journey southward. Squirrels finish storing their nuts. Larger animals take their final stretch before curling up for a long winter’s nap. With a lot of consistency, all these creatures in the natural world act out their individual pageants without external instruction or some script.

Without flare or fanfare, God graciously moves upon our lives, taking us from summer to autumn, a season when He mysteriously writes His agenda on the tablets of our hearts. Patiently He waits for change to begin. Without exception, it does. And we reflect on that.

At the root of God’s agenda is the promise. Think of it as a guarantee. The One who started “the good work within you” won’t leave the task unfinished.

The change of season of your life may be uncomfortable. Unemployment might be your lot. Or a broken romance. Maybe you are grieving over a recent loss. Maybe you are just lonely. Or hungry. Or cold. You might feel anxious about some of the struggles of tomorrow. Or you just might feel afraid.

“The roots grow deep when the winds are strong.”

Yet you can be assured of this, the Lord God specializes in roots. He plans to deepen you and strengthen you. He is watching over the roots. We like the product, He emphasizes the process. Painful it may be, but “He who began... will keep right on... until His work... is finished.”

What we want to do is not nearly as important as what we want to be. Our vocations are usually connected with doing. Being is much deeper. It relates to character, who we are, and how we make a life. Doing is tied in closely with activity, accomplishments and tangible things — like salary, prestige, involvement, roles and trophies. Being has more to do with intangibles, the kind of people we become down inside, much of which can’t be measured by objective yardsticks and impressive awards. It may take a half a lifetime or even a full lifetime to perfect... but it is far more valuable, lasting and inspiring.

So, as we approach Thanksgiving, are you giving thought these days to things that count? Moving in the right direction is a great way to break the mold of mediocrity. Watch God work. It will be surprising how He arranges circumstances so that the very target you and He decided on will begin to take shape within you. Sometimes it will be painful; other times, joy. It won’t happen overnight, but that’s a major difference between doing and being.

God addresses things that have to do with being. Like being thankful, being considerate, being obedient, being sincere, being diligent. With the same pattern — God emphasizes being more than doing.



Lonza Seadrow

Tifton