God’s Work Isn’t Finished Yet

Passages: Philippians 1:5–6; 2:13

Paul’s words to the Philippians are filled with confidence:

“…And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you (and sustained it until now – v5), will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” (Phil. 1:6 NLT – italics mine)
“…For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil. 2:13 NLT)

These aren’t just off-the-cuff encouragements at the start of a letter. They are Paul’s firm conviction about what God is doing—in the Philippians, in him, and in us.

Once again, this was not originally the next post in the series. Recently, my wife suggested that I include some posts that would help readers bridge the gap between the long period of time during which my writing was inspired mostly by deconstruction and eventually loss of faith. I eventually deleted all of that content which makes it difficult for readers to gain a sense of “what the heck happened between then and now?”

For me, these verses carry a weight of personal truth. For close to 15 years, I lived under the silent shadow of depression, discouragement, and repeated cycles of burnout. Over a few years, what started as a healthy re-evaluation of my beliefs gradually turned into deep skepticism and indifference. I began to question God’s goodness, grace, and existence.

By all the measurements I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.

Joshua Harris (2019)

By the spring of 2021, I had given up on faith altogether. Like Joshua Harris, whose words about no longer identifying as a Christian echoed in my mind, I took what felt like the ultimate step and moved as far from faith as I could. For the next two years, I lived somewhat untethered from church and faith. I still enjoyed spiritual conversations, but mostly to explain why I no longer believed. In the process, I unwillingly hurt my wife, family, and friends in ways I didn’t even see—so consumed with my own doubts that I overlooked the impact on her faith and their hearts.

But God had not stopped working. In July of 2023, something in me was reignited – I had written a post about this moment called, When God Whispers Your Name, but I no longer have it. It wasn’t immediate clarity—far from it. There was healing ahead, and still plenty of confusion. Yet slowly, through conversations, songs, therapy, and sheer grace, God was stirring life back into me. Finally, in May of 2025, he delivered me from my hopelessness. My heart, mind, and soul were restored. I can’t quite explain it just yet but will certainly write about it at some point.

Paul’s words give me language for this journey: God began a good work in me long ago. I stumbled, resisted, doubted, and even turned away. Yet he did not abandon me. He kept working—in hidden, surprising, patient ways—until I could finally see again.

This work isn’t finished. It won’t be finished until Christ completes it. That means there is hope not only for our past but also for our present and future. God’s purposes do not unravel because of our doubts, failures, or detours. His work continues even when we walk in circles or backward.

Journaling Prompt

Where have you seen God’s hand at work in your life—even in the seasons when you couldn’t see it at the time?

Breath Prayer

Inhale – “God, you have been working in me …”

Exhale – “and will continue until the work is complete.”

Practical Application

This week, take one small moment each day to pause and acknowledge: God is still at work in me. It might be while sipping your morning coffee, driving to work, or before falling asleep. Let this simple act be a reminder that his story in you is not done.