Podcast Introduction It’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. Today we’ll read   Philippians 1-2. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Rough Edges.” Comments on Philippians 1 Chapter one, verse six is one of my favorite promises. It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not happy with my progress as a Christian. Here it is: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I haven’t seen this bumper sticker in a long time, but it used to be pretty commonplace around here: Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not a very good example of the perfect Christian. I have what you might call some “rough edges”. It is just me, or do you know anyone else like that? Ok. Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one.  I think if you ask the Lovely Lady LeeAnn she’d probably tell you that I’m better than I used to be. At least I hope so. What’s that? What about her? Is she getting better than she used to be? No, I can’t say that she is. She’s always been perfect! And then in verse 9, Paul continues the thought of God continuing His work in us: “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”  Very few people, when they first become believers, have a radical change in their personalities. It does happen, but it’s not the rule. Most of us change over time, as the Holy Spirit works within us to conform us to who God wants us to be. It’s a lifelong process for most of us, I think. I know that He’s been working in me for over 50 years.  So don’t get discouraged when you fall short of how Scripture tells us we should be. When you fall short of the ideal, when you feel disappointed in yourself for not being the perfect Christian, realize that that reaction is a good thing. It means that you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s correcting you. Use that to help you change the decisions you make in the future. It’s a process. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I’m so glad God hasn’t given up on me, and that He is constantly chipping away the rough edges.  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Joshua Brown on Unsplash