August 6 | Philippians 1:3-11

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DAILY READING

Philippians 1:3-11

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REFLECTION

WHOSE WORK IS IT ANYWAY?

By Katie Borden

I once had a friend who, in a rather tongue-in-cheek manner, cautioned me never to pray for patience. “Because if you pray for patience, God is going to give you reasons to need to be patient–not just give you more patience in your heart.”

And though this friend may have been joking, I think there are certainly plenty of circumstances in our world today where patience would do a world of good. We’ve probably all heard the talk and lament about ours being an “instant gratification” culture, and we probably all feel it. We really don’t know how to wait anymore. We can spout platitudes about proverbial tortoises and hares, but when the rubber meets the road, quick fixes seem to win our affections, beating out the long, slow slog toward improvement every time.

I think these things are generally true when I look around our world. I also think these things are true when I look within. I want to have arrived at spiritual maturity now. I want to already be perfectly loving and “good”. And when I recognize the places in my own life where the fruit of the Spirit is lacking, sometimes I want to figure out what I can do to shore up my spiritual situation. Immediately.

And then I’m right back in the garden with Adam and Eve, trying to “play God” without actually being with God. And who is it all really for, anyway? 

In my own little world, it’s often all for me.

The work of spiritual formation is incompatible with our “insta-worthy” culture. The work of spiritual formation is not on my timeline. And that is because spiritual formation is not really my work. Yes, we can–and should!--participate with God in his work within me, and in today’s text we see Paul celebrate the work and partnership he sees flourishing in the Philippians (v 3-5), but God is the one who is at work within us, shaping us to be more like Jesus. God is working within me to form my will and my mind and my habits and my heart to overflow more and more with love (v 9)–love for his creation, love for my neighbor, and love for God himself. And how much better that is than if I were left to my own devices! Instead of a quick, make-myself-look-better-at-all-costs “solution” that would inevitably lead to soul-sucking comparison games or spiritual bankruptcy, God is teaching me the long, slow work of dependency on Him, attentive relationship with Him, and life securely built on his self-giving love.

I’ll take this long, slow work of the Spirit any day of the week.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, teach me to savor the work you are doing within me. When I lament the places in my life where I am not as I think I should be, turn my eyes away from my own striving, and fix them on you and your loving relationship with me. Empower me to walk step by step deeper in the love of Jesus to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.