“For I am confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

I'm not sure if it's because it's January, or the near sixty degree temperatures, but I've had this desire lately to get to a theme park of some kind. A trip to Orlando this time of year would be great, wouldn't it? I love theme parks and try to get to the “Point” every year.

I suppose that if you were to go to any theme park in the world, you would find an air of optimism. The operators want you to have a good time. Cedar Point is a good example- it is just like one great big party all the time. The word “amusement” is rooted in the word amuse . Muse means “to think.” The prefix “a” means “not.” So an amusement park is a place to go where you are not supposed to think, where you can go to have some fun, to be entertained, and get away for the day. Unfortunately, at today's prices, for a family of four, you could be paying for that little diversion for the rest of the year; then you would be really musing!

I have a lot of things in my life to think about, as you do yourself. The list goes on and on, doesn't it? But I have one area that I am thankful about today that I don't have to worry about. Be reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in

Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

You know, there are times in my life when I feel like giving up on my personal spiritual progress (say it ain't so Joe!), and climb on a roller coaster, and, well… just coast. Fortunately for me, God doesn't stop working on me. In fact, he is causing a process to take place in my life through his word and prayer, through people and events that he will carry through to the end. The point being that God isn't as concerned about where I am (my station in life) or what I am doing (my vocation) as he is about who I am and what I am becoming. His goal is to “conform me to the image of his dear Son”- Jesus Christ.

In our western culture, we say we have received Christ in our hearts to explain conversion and receiving the good news for the forgiveness of sins. So many look at this as arriving in the kingdom, an amusement of religious sorts! Actually, it is a departure, a beginning, a starting place.

If Christ is your Savior, He has begun a work in you. How's the construction coming?

Today, take some time to thank God for what he is doing. Look forward to what he is going to do, and remember, “When we see him, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Just musing,

Pastor Art