Summertime brings warm weather, days at the beach, trips to parks, wooded trails…and road construction!  For obvious reasons, cities and states choose summer months to undertake road projects. Of course, some construction on major projects occurs year-round.  But in general, we can usually plan on lots of orange cones and barrels during the summer months.

Unfortunately, the lane shifts, uneven pavement and narrow roadways that go along with construction make auto mishaps more likely.  This is bad for the motorists who are in these mishaps (hopefully, with no injuries), and frustrating for others who are unable to reach their destinations on time.  Sometimes it feels like the entire road system is turned upside down and we are the victims of an evil plot by the demons of transportation!

However, I think most of us would agree that we appreciate being able to travel on roads in good repair.  We endure the inconvenience of construction now, so we can enjoy something better later.

There is something in all of us that reacts negatively to incompletion, whether it be the exciting end to a football game which we missed due to a power outage, a puzzle with one missing piece, one strip of grass that remains uncut because we ran out of gas or a road under construction.  In like manner, we don’t do well with aspects of our personal lives that are incomplete.  Some examples include dreams and goals that seem unattainable, opportunities to use our talents and gifts which are taken from us and regrets over relationships with loved ones where something was left unsaid or undone.  Incompletion creates anxiety, and it tests our faith and character.  If you are facing incompletion today, allow me to share these thoughts, rooted in the Word of God:

Incompletion is a sign of growth.  The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Philippians: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) This verse suggests a process of “beginning”, the “in-between” (“will carry it on to”), and an “end” (completion).  If I understand Paul’s words correctly, we will be in a constant state of incompletion until we see Jesus face-to-face.  Perhaps you have experienced this reality in your life.  There is always something new to address in our walk with the Lord, and maturity takes time. Like a spiritual adolescent, we might believe we are 13 going on 18, but meaningful growth takes time.  Therefore, we should embrace incompletion and celebrate what God is doing in us between now and eternity. 

Incompletion does not rob us of earthly victories.  Just because we may not be fully mature in this life doesn’t mean there aren’t milestones and victories to celebrate along the way.  Years ago, a young lady who had turned away from a promiscuous life stopped on the way out of a worship service to tell me she had remained pure for two years! She was extremely thankful for her milestone and I told her I was proud of her.  I will admit this was an unusual conversation to have with someone as they left worship with others standing nearby.  But she had experienced a victory, and it was well worth celebrating!  The pathway to godliness is a life-long journey, but along the way we should take time to acknowledge our victories over Satan and give God the glory.  It is possible the best way to create a context for victory in this life is to recognize our state of incompletion.  If we think we have arrived, we will stop striving and it will be hard to reach for greater things. Take time to ponder the words of the old hymn “Victory in Jesus”, and thank Him for helping you grow.

Incompletion creates space for “change orders”.  When God leads us to set a course for change in our lives, we may not be in the best place to develop a sustainable strategy.  As we begin to grow, we will likely see our circumstances more clearly, including additional weak spots that need attention.  You may be aware, in the construction world when alterations are made to original plans, a “change order” is requested.  These can be very expensive.  The good news is, God allows us to add parts to our plan anywhere along the way, free of charge! Have you uncovered formally unseen ways you hurt the people you love?  No problem! God can add that item to your growth plan.  Have your personal circumstances changed creating new unforeseen challenges in your life?  No worries! God can include these developments in the strategy moving forward.  One of the risks of wanting completion to come too quick is that we can short-circuit the process of spiritual reflection that plumbs the depths of our hearts and minds.  More than one contractor has said, “I’m glad we still had time to change that”.  Is it possible God stretches out our growing time to allow for greater clarity?  I think so.  Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul shared these thoughts in Colossians 1:10-11: “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience”.

I guess I should add that these principles may not be appropriate in all areas of our lives.  Please don’t tell your boss I said it was better for you to leave a major work project incomplete.  And if you are a student, I would advise you to complete your assignments.  “God is still working on me” is not an adequate rationale when it comes to academic expectations. 

But when it comes to the long-haul; the sum total of our lives as we prepare to meet Jesus, there is nothing wrong with cones and barrels.  So, don’t be frustrated by lower speed limits, solid white lines, lane shifts and an occasional fender-bender.  It’s all a part of the journey. 

Oh, and if you are reading this devotion on your mobile device, don’t do it while you are behind the wheel.  You always want to watch out for others and yourself on your way to your destination.  This is another thing about incompletion.  We are not on this journey alone.  But we don’t have time to examine this aspect of maturity.

I guess my thoughts will just have to remain incomplete for now!