A ‘work in progress’ implies a process. Something isn’t finished–yet.
We tend to think about some of the personalities recorded for us in the Bible as larger than life. It is easy to stand in awe of what God accomplished through them. However, they didn’t start out as giants of faith. They grew in faith over time. As we read through their stories, we discover the Bible is honest about human frailty. Abraham put Sarah at risk to protect himself. Sarah laughed in unbelief when God said she would have a child. Moses argued with God when God called him to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. He wanted God to send someone else.
Their stories , and others throughout the Bible, reveal a lot of imperfection. There are plenty of examples of dysfunction and failure, deceit and manipulation. We see cycles of faith, along with cycles of rebellion and distrust.
Human weakness is not really so surprising. What is surprising is that in Hebrews 11, God commends them for their faith. God remembers the sliver of faith in the hearts of His people. It is God who works to nurture its growth. God works through imperfect people to accomplish great things.
That should give us hope. God didn’t call perfect people to carry out His mission. He doesn’t call perfect people now. We are all flawed and broken people. But God sees who we will be, in Him. He uses the weak and foolish things of this world to bring glory to Himself. Not only are we ineffective to save ourselves, we are weak and helpless to carry out the plans God has for us. We need His help every step of the way.
Only Jesus is perfect. We trust our salvation to what Jesus did on the cross when He died for our sins. When we turn to Jesus in faith, God sees Jesus’ righteousness covering us, instead of our sins and flaws. God isn’t finished with us yet. He sees beyond our mistakes and poor decisions to who we are becoming. As we take steps of faith toward Him, seeking His ways, He grows us into who He wants us to be.
I love the humility shown by Ruth Bell Graham at the end of her life. As the wife of Billy Graham, any observer could see much in her life and in her writings to emulate. Yet, the inscription on her gravestone reads: “End of construction–Thank you for your patience.”
We are all a work in progress. God has good plans for each one of us, and He will carry them out. He has promised His presence, His provision, and His protection as we muddle through our lives. His patience with all of us is astounding. To God be the glory!
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT
How does it encourage you to know you are a work in progress and that God isn’t finished? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Jose R. Cabello from Pixabay
I am a work in progress, even at this time later in my life. Thank you Lord for your patience!
Thank you, Kathie. I’m grateful for the Lord’s patience with me.
Thank you for the post, Phyllis. I’m grateful for the progress so far in my life, and am even more thankful for God’s protection, provision, and guidance for the rest of the journey. Prayers for you.
Thank you, Joni.