Unfinished Business
“There’s a river of love that’s here,
There’s a river of grace that’s here
You’re invited to come and swim within
Death to the past it’s gone
Here’s to a new beginning
Our God’s not finished yet with us.”
River – Bluetree
God is not finished yet with us. Who we are now is not who he wants us to be. We have not yet achieved our full potential. What we are going through right now is not the extent of God’s plans for us. He is not finished yet with us. So what does that mean for us?
It means we need to stop letting past sins and failures define us. ‘Death to the past it’s gone’. Our sin has been cast “as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) by what Jesus achieved on the cross. God hasn’t finished with us yet. He won’t give up on us if we stumble and fall; instead He reaches out to pick us up again, dusts us off, and invites us to swim in the river of grace. Don’t ever fall for Satan’s lie that God has given up on you. He hasn’t!
It means we need to be open for correction. God hasn’t finished yet with us. Despite our imperfections and failures He still loves us, but because of his love for us, He wants to make us better. He wants to sand down our rough edges, remove imperfections like the words we say that we shouldn’t use, like the lustful thoughts we have that we know we shouldn’t, like the moments of anger or frustration or pride. He wants to polish us up and shape us to be the image of Christ to a desperately needy world. We need to be open and accepting of that correction. We need to ask God to show us what areas of our lives He isn’t happy with, and how we can make them better. “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. ”Hebrews 12:5-7. Be open to correction from God our Father.
It means where we are now is not our final destination. God has a plan for each of our lives. He charts the path ahead of us (Psalm 139:3). We have not yet reached the final destination. God is not finished yet with us. He is still guiding us along the path of life. We may be enjoying where that path is taking us right now, and if so, praise God! But if not, take hope. God is with you in your trouble. And He isn’t finished yet with you. He has a plan, and you are where you are now for a reason. Remember these words from Romans 8:28 and take hope from them: “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Memorise that verse. Write it on your wall. Stick it up under your mirror. Remember that promise, that God is not finished with you yet, and He will turn your current situation to good.
So today remember you are invited to sum in God’s river of love and grace. There’s more than enough room for you to bring some friends who need to experience His love and grace too. Be open to His loving correction. Remember He will cause all things to work for good. And never forget that our God is not finished yet with you.
{Cassie + Heather, that was for you. He’s not finished with either of you yet}