I’m a bit of an impatient person and when I have a firm idea or a picture cemented in my mind about something, I almost can’t wait for it to materialise. We’re just having some building work done to give us more space in our small, nearly 100 year old house and also taking care of much needed maintenance.
It was horrendous at first. Mud. Just a huge amount of mud everywhere! The dog was having his legs washed in the bath three times a day as he was getting plastered just by stepping outside the front door! It was slippery and I stayed indoors a lot as I was scared to go out in case I took a tumble! Gradually, the weather improved and the ground dried, grass started growing in the back garden again and the extension took shape really quickly. It was all very exciting!
Then we had a few hold-ups. Things not arriving on time, tradesmen letting us down. And here we are, three months in and so close… but just not quite close enough! Doors haven’t arrived so we’re not fully secure or watertight yet, and remain boarded up, living in the cramped front part of the house! Every day I just long for something to make a significant change to this situation! The plasterers are finishing off today, the electricians are here again at the end of the week. The kitchen is arriving soon but many other things need to happen first! It’s enough to give you a nervous breakdown…!
I have a brilliant builder (a family friend!) who has project managed, walked the dog and put up with my constant crying and many, many questions – on top of doing a huge amount of physical work! He really is a godsend. The thing is though, that I must be patient. I have no choice but to wait till everything is completed. I am relying on human frailties and somewhat broken supply chains to provide everything needed to get the job done.
When Jesus hung on the cross, several things took place which fulfilled prophecy, before he finally bowed his head, declared, “IT IS FINISHED!” and gave up his spirit. In the most hopeless and helpless situation (or so it seemed to those watching) he was not murdered by the Romans – or the pharisees. His life was not taken from him. He gave it! He was in full control of events and there was a plan!
John 19:28-30 NKJV
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” [29] Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. [30] So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
I know there is a plan for my house. I know that certain things need to happen before it will be finished, but it will be finished at some point and I’ll enjoy being here. I am learning patience and more reliance on the Lord along the way, which is no bad thing!
But Jesus’ work was finished long before I was even born! I, along with every other person on the planet, have a cast iron guarantee, written in blood, that everything that needs to be done has ALREADY been done! The way to the Father has been restored and we are forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness (the sin of being separated from God) by simply believing and trusting in who Jesus is and what he has done! He made a new covenant, a new agreement, with God wherein it states that whoever believes in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life. It’s a case of trusting the process! But not everyone knows it and not everyone will believe it. They will keep waiting for an answer that has already been given.
John 3:16 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Can you imagine, if the doors and windows had been fitted, the kitchen was installed and everything was brand new and shiny, ready to step into and use and enjoy, but we decided to leave the doorway into the kitchen boarded up and never go in?! If we just carried on living in the old part of the house and feeling sad and frustrated because we wanted so much more…
Imagine no one ever told you the kitchen was FINISHED! Get my drift…?
The Finished Work 