Part of the Puzzle

Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work and you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Those are powerful words.

God will carry on the work in the lives of our children long after they move on from our direct and daily care. From the day our kids were born, I have realized that they naturally need less and less of my direct care. I am not needed to tie shoes any longer.  I am not needed to strap them in the car seat any longer, for which I am grateful.

You see, I am a part of the program. I am a piece to the puzzle in my kids’ lives. I am a huge piece of their lives. However, someday we will all realize that we are no longer such a big part of the picture in our kids’ lives. Fact. Yet when I realize that I am in the picture less and less, I need to remember God is still in the picture. Always.

You see, God has been at work in your kids’ lives long before you even knew they were conceived. God will still be at work in your kids’ lives long after you’re gone. Take heart in this fact. He has plans. His plans. We are a part. He is their whole.

Yet, in the providence of God, you have been selected to be the parents for these kids. That is the single greatest role anyone will ever play in their lives. Period. No single individual on planet earth will have the powerful influence that you will have as their parent. Therefore, be a faithful player and participant in the work of God in the lives of your very own offspring right now.

Though he does not need you, he chooses to use you. God is self-sufficient. He needs nothing and he needs no one. However, it is an honor to play a part. How special to labor with the Almighty God of the universe and see him open the eyes of your own children to see the gospel.

Not only is God going to carry on the good work that he began in your children’s lives, he is also committed to carrying on the good work that he began in you.  He is beyond committed to bringing that work He began in you to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. He is at work in you. You are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Your participation in the work of parenting is part of his good work in you that he’s committed to carry on until it is complete. You are growing by serving your children.  He is developing you and completing his work in you as you partner with him to bring about his completed work in the heart of your children.

Be a piece of God’s work; trusting in God that He will carry on His good work through your obedience. Play an active role in your kids’ spiritual lives today.

• Recall: Who will carry on the work in the lives your children after you are gone?
• Reflect: Have you seen God’s good work continue in the life of your children?
• Respond: Pray about how you can obediently be a piece of God’s good work in the lives of your children.
• Rethink: What are you doing right now to be a faithful participant in God’s work?