A Labor of Love
By
Susan Klein
“…He
who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.”
Philippians
1:6 (NIV)
When my daughter went
away to college a couple years ago, I started making a lot of homemade granola.
She wasn’t fortunate enough to attend a school with a four-star dining
facility, so it became a much-beloved staple in her diet. Making granola was
labor-intensive and time-consuming. There was constant stirring involved, both
in the preparation of the ingredients to make sure they are all moistened, then
during the baking process to ensure the granola toasts evenly. And using good,
wholesome ingredients was costly.
So why go to all the
trouble? Why not just go to the store and buy her a box of pre-made granola?
Making it brings no real benefits to me. It’s not exactly cheaper to make it. I
also didn’t enjoy the mess in my kitchen, and it took up a good portion of time.
So, why did I do it? Simple. Because I love her, and I know it’s to her
benefit.
Sanctification is kind
of like making granola. God could make us all cookie-cutter perfect replicas
that are simple to reproduce and not labor-intensive. But He chooses not to. He
fashions each person with unique qualities, characteristics, and purpose. He
spends our whole lifetime working on each one of us, dealing with all the
messiness of our lives while lovingly bringing us to completion, which is:
conforming us to the image of His perfect Son. It’s costly, laborious, and very
time-consuming. Why does He do it? Simple. He loves us, and He wants the best
for each of us. I’m sure it’s not enjoyable for Him when we resist His stirring
in our lives, but He does it nonetheless. And the cost…well let’s just say He
paid the ultimate price.
In John chapter
seventeen, Jesus is praying to the Father on behalf of the believers. He says:
“They are not of the world even as I am not of
it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As you have sent me into
the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that
they too may be truly sanctified” (v.17-18).
Jesus was setting
Himself apart for God’s sacred use, so that we too, might also be set apart to
be used by God. He would never ask anything of us that He Himself was not
willing to do.
Appreciate the effort.
Enjoy the process. Remember the cost.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you filling your
heart with God’s truth so that He might show you His purpose?
2. Spend time in
meditation and prayer over God’s love and faithfulness to you.
3. Read Romans
15:15-18, noting God’s active work. Thank Him.
FURTHER READING:
Susan
is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of
the Peace Team at Oakwood and co-leads a small group at Wednesday Night
Community.
