Live in the Present with Your Eyes on the Future #ShortBurstsofEncouragement

Fall in the Midwest is a lovely time. The various shades of green change to deep reds, brilliant oranges, glowing yellows, and rich browns. Given the proper conditions (cool, calm, sunny days) the colors will hang on for weeks. 

Eventually though those gorgeous hues end up on the ground. The leaves, once so full of life, lay withered and dry. Yet crumbling, they now become a substance from which new life and continued growth will come. 

God is in the process of changing us as well. Only in a sense, the process a leaf undergoes is reversed in us.

From dry, lifeless souls, dead in our sins, God transforms us into a new creation full of life. He begins a work of sanctification in the believer. A work culminating in our new forever life. 

It is easy, though, to get caught up in the present and forget we are being renewed for the future.

Click on the picture to download or print it.

Sometimes you might find yourself in a season where change is happening fast. You are quickly becoming adorned in brilliant colors, reflecting the glory of your Creator. You feel confident of God’s work of grace in your life. 

But other times, you may find yourself laying dormant for a while. Seemingly little happening in the way of change or growth. 

It is easy during those latter seasons to become discouraged. Perhaps wondering if you weren’t worthy enough for God to continue. But rest assured, God is at work even in those latent periods.

Because of His love for you, God began a work of life in you through His Son. He will not leave that work undone. 

Because of His love for you, God began a work of life in you through His Son. He will not leave that work undone. Click To Tweet

The Lord will continue his transformational work in you until it is finished at Christ’s return.

Paul reassures us of that very thing. And in this promise of Christ’s completed work in Him, Paul finds every reason to rejoice. And so should we!

I love how the IVP New Testament Commentary Series sums up this idea: “Believers in Christ are people of the future, a sure future that has already begun in the present.”

As people of the future, let us not get discouraged in the present. 

“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Reflection: Have you ever thought of yourself, as a believer, as being a “people of the future”? What does that mean to you? 

If you are enjoying these Wednesday Short Bursts of Encouragement, please share them. 

Today I’m joining Holley Gerth for her Coffee for Your Heart Wednesday link-up and Rachel Wojnarowski for Whimsical Wednesdays. Click on the images to read more linked-up posts. So much wonderful encouragement!

By His grace ≈

Julie