And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. –Philippians 1:6
I read a book by Andrew Murray entitled The Master's Indwelling once, and he gave such a great analogy. It went something like this: Have you ever experienced a fabulous church service or quiet time where you felt completely refreshed and as though God had touched your heart? Then the next day, or even a few hours later, you were left wondering how that spark evaporated. You spouted off a few four-letter words you shouldn't have, you thought about choking the guy sitting across from you at work because he was tapping his pencil repeatedly on the desk, or you acted selfishly. No matter what your failing, it leaves you wondering how one second you are so tender and another so calloused.
As I read The Master's Indwelling, the author made one statement that stopped me: "I can count upon God to maintain it and to carry me through all." —> The "it" he's referring to is what God is doing in you.
God knows I am incapable of achieving whatever needs to happen. So as much as I adore being the productive, perfect achiever in this world, He is helping me unlearn this prideful, self-reliant habit and be dependent upon Him.
It is my responsibility to believe — regardless of how I feel — that what God is doing in my soul today, He will not only complete, but He will maintain.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the same thing in Philippians 1:5-6:
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Scripture assures us that God is not only mighty to save but mighty to continue.
So often, when God speaks to our hearts about changing, we get frustrated because our eyes are not focused on the completed work achieved through faith, but on the gap. The gap between where we are and where we know God desires us to be can be completely debilitating. I should know; my perfectionistic self has "measured" that gap's breadth, width, and height many times. And I always come up short.
It seems an impossible feat. But glory to God, all things are possible through Him. Furthermore, He has countered my "measurements" by reminding me in Ephesians 3:14-21 of how wide and long and high and deep the dimensions of Christ's love are for me. God only requires us to believe He is willing and able to begin the good work, maintain it, and carry us through the transformative journey.
He is the God who maintains.