Towards Christlikeness #4

Phil 1:6 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.

Previously, I talked about joy as a mark of Christlikeness, and how related it is to prayer. Prayer can have a powerful impact upon our countenance, our perspective and our attitude. When we pray, we are also transformed in the process.

We are transformed by our praying for the very reason that when we pray we demonstrate faith in SOMEONE who has power to answer whatever we may be asking for. When we pray, we demonstrate reliance upon somebody of greater power, with able means and capability to grant that request. When we pray, as verse 6 of Philippians 1 say, we declare confidence in God.

This assurance, this boldness and confidence placed upon the power of Jesus Christ, does not merely motivate us to pray even more. It also prompts us to be joyful. The promise that God will complete the good work He started doing in our lives, reminds us that there is an end to the sorrow that we are undergoing.  There is a point in our future where all pain shall cease; when hurts and tears shall all be wiped away.

We therefore place our hopes in the future that we have in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul is as if reminding us that joy should not be essentially based on the present, but on what is before us. On what Christ still would reveal to those who shall strive forward. The future is exciting for those who believe in Christ as their savior and Lord!

So when we look at what is ahead, at what Jesus has laid before us, what appears to be (or what may truly be) a difficult present, should not really be a deterrent to keeping faith and a joyful attitude.

Prayer

“Lord, do not let me be consumed by the troubles that I see today, right here, right now.  These troubles and difficulties are real. But you have a better plan. Teach me how to fix my eyes on what you have set before me. Let not the past nor the present keep me from taking hold of the glorious things that you have prepared for me. Instead, teach me to always look at what is beyond me, at what is before me. Let my vision be all about You and what You want me to be.  Knowing that You have planned nothing but the best for me, I will choose to be joyful at the prospect that I have in You