“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
I was traveling this weekend with the Sweet Monday Board and staff for our annual retreat. We were in Pawleys Island, S.C. Natural beauty was everywhere.
The first morning I arose (actually, it was more like I stumbled from the bed!) at sunrise. This was new for me; my normal routine is to sleep until my body can no longer stand to be in bed, which equates to about 8:30 or 9 a.m. The sky in Pawleys was filled with low-hanging clouds. I knew it was the correct time for the sun to rise, since I had checked my handy weather app the night before. I was expecting the sky to be streaked with brilliant colors – you know, the blazing oranges, reds and yellows.
But as I waited with a couple of Sweet Monday staff members for the sun to put on its morning show, we saw little evidence that the bright orb was truly rising. Disappointment reigned.
Then…it appeared! Golden rays subtly peeked through here and there. The clouds had only partially hindered this glorious sight.
The Holy Spirit prompted me by saying, “This is how I am, Elane. I am always there, just as the sun always rises. Sometimes, I’m hidden by the clouds of your life. Sometimes you miss me, because you are still in bed and not even looking for me. Other times you act too quickly; you peek out and see clouds and go back to bed before the rays have shown themselves. Or, worse, you just forget that I am here ‘carrying on to completion the work that I have begun in you.’ (Philippians 1:6).”
“Stick with me,” the Lord says, through sunny days and cloudy ones. Trust that your Master is continually working on the masterpiece that is you!