An Expected End

To the Israelites living in Babylonian captivity, God said, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, . . . thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

So what did God mean by "a future"? It could be translated "an expected end." In other words, there would be an outcome. There would be a completion. God would tie up the loose ends.

The same is true for us. As a Christian, I am a work in progress. And so are you.

I am an artist (and I use that word loosely). I like to draw, and people sometimes will ask me to draw something. They will say, "Greg, draw me." Or, "Draw this." I especially like to draw for kids, because they are always so appreciative. So I will sit down with pen in hand and will look at the paper for a little while. Then maybe I will draw one line and start to smile. Someone inevitably will ask, "What are you smiling about? There is nothing on the paper." But I am just laughing about what I am going to do. In my mind’s eye, I already know what it will look like.

So as God is working on the canvas of our lives, we see a little bit and say, "Wow, Lord, what is it going to be? Finish it. Come on, complete it." But in God’s mind, the art is done. The painting is completed. It is already finished.

That is how God looks at you and me. Although it is still a work in progress for us, God knows exactly what He is doing. There is an expected end, and it is good.