Tim Morrow

One thing I enjoy doing is projects. We sold our house south of town last summer and bought a different one here in Powell. Even though it is a newer home, I suppose I cannot help myself … I find projects to do around the house. One might think of small projects, but I seem to go all out.

This fall I built a shed in the backyard. Then this summer we built a covering for our back patio. Thank the Lord I had a little help on this project. What is interesting to me is how these projects seem to take longer than I plan. My wife usually adds a few weeks onto my estimated finish date. She’s right to do that, because that is the way it usually turns out.

Waiting, delays, setbacks and unforeseen problems happen in our lives more than just in our physical projects. They happen in many areas of our lives. When I was a kid there was a song I learned in children’s church. The song was, “He’s Still Working on Me.”

It goes like this: “He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.” 

As Christ followers we must realize that we would like God to instantly get us through all of our challenges and difficulties. Our Christian walk is a journey, full of ups and downs, cancellations and postponements. That doesn’t mean God has somehow abandoned us or given up on us. Through the delays, he is actually working on us, “to make us what we ought to be.”

Paul says in Philippians 2:13, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

And again Paul says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” 

Remember, those who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are in his care and he is guiding and directing our lives. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” 

Let us live our lives for Jesus knowing that he is directing us and growing us into the person he wants us to be.

(Tim Morrow is the pastor at New Life Church of Powell.)