On several occasions I have mentioned the fact that there are significant differences in your mom’s personality and mine. At times it has led to strong differences of opinion about any number of issues. Other times caused us to take a time out to reconsider our approaches and come up with a reasonable alternative. I’m sure you have experienced everything from frustration to a quiet inner smile when we try to get on the “same page.” As I have said in the past, I believe one of the reasons we are together is because God wanted you to see a broad spectrum of approaches to life – not just our struggles coming to a consensus. However, to me, she is there to help me reach perfection or what we have seen in the last couple days described as completion that is a state stronger than when we began.

The reality is neither of us are “in and of ourselves” going to perfect each other – we’re both hopelessly flawed humans. However, when God puts a believing mate in your life you have the spiritual insight and wisdom of two, guiding you toward a common goal. This simplifies and maintains the focus of the passage, even if it seems more complex due personal differences.  If you are married to an unbeliever, then you do not get that additional assistance and must carry the burden of a lifelong journey alone. When you reach your time of graduation you must take the step of passage from this life to the next. This is not something we look forward to any more than Christ did, but it is the only place where Christ’s work can be completed, perfected and finished. You see, whatever you are lacking must be “filled in” by His work on the cross. Without the empty holes being filled in you would be incomplete in the same way you were incomplete without Christ here on earth. Below is a visual example of how two different people were completed for the Kingdom by Christ’s work when they died.

Your responsibility is to be who God created you to be, to learn from The Bible, The Holy Spirit, people and circumstances. Regardless of what happens in life He will use those four means to move you closer to completion or perfection. His grace is extended to you for your lapses. Now, so that you might have peace, know that whatever you may not feel you’ve finished or what remains left undone, Christ is the author and finisher of those things. That is one of the reasons that as believers we are promised the ability to experience joy, hope and peace in all circumstances. We just struggle with what Paul grasped when he wrote Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” What we have discussed today should give you that contentment.

Love Dad