“And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.” 2 Cor. 8:10-11
In this verse, Paul was speaking to the church in Macedonia about generosity, but it got me wondering what I was desiring to begin a year ago. Interestingly (and conveniently) enough, a year ago is when the Lord encouraged me to blog a Month of Prayer, so I was able to go back and read through my blogs from last year. What exactly was I desiring? Had I not recorded those prayers, I can honestly say I wouldn’t remember my desires from a year ago.
The Lord has been faithful this past year. He has not only been answering prayer, but stretching and growing my family and me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Most of the prayers were things I will need over a lifetime: to increase in prudence, depart from evil, know Him more, honor Him with my possessions, etc.
I also asked that contentions, gossip, and greed be kept far from me, and that I would be slow to anger. Truly, the Lord has been faithful in those things; although, like everyone else, I am always a work in progress. I prayed about my children’s desire to serve Him. There is an excitement inside them when it comes to serving that warms my heart. Now, to see them seek after Him as they would seek after treasure. (that’s coming…)
The desires I had a year ago and things the Lord began when I prayed are not to be forgotten. This verse in 2 Cor. reminds me that there is not just to be a beginning, but a time of completion. It is good to take time to revisit and re-evaluate those old desires and monitor our own progress on the journey, as well. Am I still seeking after the wisdom that I desired last year? Am I still doing all I can to leave a legacy of integrity and godliness for my children and grandchildren? Have I been teaching my children how to give when it’s in their power to do so, like I prayed I would? Have I been trusting in God’s provision?
Do you know what you began or desired a year ago? Is it time to complete it or to seek God’s guidance? If the Lord has already completed something for you, or is in the process now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!! If you have forgotten what you desired, I pray His Holy Spirit will bring it back to your remembrance. We don’t want to make hollow commitments to the Lord or His work.
When it comes to remembering the things we pray (what we ask for or say to God), a written record can be a very helpful thing. I will be posting about prayer journaling next. If you’ve never tried it, or want to try something new, I encourage you to check it out.
Complete it,
jamie
considering the word 