After vacation, it can be really hard to get back to the grind. There are of course many reasons for this. But it helps to realize perfection is not required of you. Not even on a good day and especially not right after vacation. So it’s totally okay to be slow and a bit disoriented. Even now you can rest in grace and wait for good because God is good. God has not forgotten you. Actually, he has provided everything. You know, it is finished for you. 

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30, NIV)

What does it mean? It means Jesus paid your debts in full. Imagine your student depts or your morgage being paid in full for you. What a feeling. Being free of sin is even better than that. It is indeed finished for you. Also on your not-so-good days. Your freedom is not based on your effectiveness. It’s finished for you. 

It is finished for you – but not in you

Why then are we not perfect yet? With the words of Donald G. Nloesch ‘Though the work of Christ is finished for the sinner, it is not yet finished in the sinner.’ The work of Christ is finished for you but not in you. There’s nothing you can add to it. You can just gratefully receive it and put it in good use. But the work of Christ in you will continue until you reach heaven.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6, ESV).

So we are God’s work in progress, no perfection in us yet. But we are well on our way. Not because we’d be so perfect but because the One who works in us is perfect. He has a plan how to complete the work in us. But not today but on the day Jesue returns. So there’s a lot to look forward to. Meanwhile we rest in Jesus. We let the Holy Spirit help us through this readjustment period. And it will be good.

Gracious God,
Thank you for not requiring perfection of us.
We are so grateful to grace and graciousness.
Thanks for vacations and holidays,
thank you also for the grind and purpose.
Help us to readjust to ordinary living.
Keep on working in us, Lord.
Make us a bit more like you every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How has your summer been? Any difficulties to get back to the grind? Anyhow, enjoy the joy of salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit in you! 

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you continue to live your life with God! 

Photo by Soul devOcean on Unsplash.