It never ceases to amaze me how God is continually speaking, and yet we often miss what He is trying to tell, or we don’t hear Him because we reject what He is saying.  If we open our spiritual ears to Him, trust me, He WILL speak - and we will see so much of the Lord’s work.  This happened to me while I was driving this past weekend.  In looking at the hillside and trees, it was amazing to see how the very top branches have brought forth life - budding bright green leaves are bursting forth! But the other three-quarters of the tree are still bare.  Nothing has come forth yet - in anticipation, we know the tree will fill in, and in due time see the tree as a flourishing, full house of life.  If we could only have this much trust in God in our lives, we could watch some amazing things take place - and I pray and know that we all desire this. 

 In this season of life, where doors begin to open, fruit begins to grow, and clarity begins to surface, we often worry about how everything else will fill in.  Good has begun, but how will I have the resources to continue? How will I have the energy to keep pushing ahead? God, this may seem clear now, but I’m afraid - all of these questions and thoughts can surface.  We begin to look at what hasn’t been filled in yet, instead of what God has started. At this point, and at all times - we must trust the work of God’s hand in our life - believing with faith that He will complete what has begun.  I don’t often quote the Message, but lets look at Philippians 1:3-6 in this translation:  

“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”  

I love the way this translation paints the picture - that the work God has started in each of us, will be brought to a flourishing finish.  God does not leave us to figure life out on our own.  It’s not like an infomercial line, where God “sets it, and forgets it!” C’mon now! We serve a God that loves us so much and cares for us, wanting to bring plans and opportunities and open doors to a complete state - flourishing and vibrant with life and abundant fruit!  Deuteronomy 31:8 states: 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”NIV 

Our God will never leave us nor forsake us. What a promise! In His timing, the area where He is working (He is always working on something in us!) will fill in, and will flourish with life and fruit in Him.  But we must trust the work God.  He will bring to completion all that He has promised, planned, and willed for our lives.  Trust His work, and watch the leaves grow.