Verse 6, for the 7th year…

You probably already know that I love clever wordplay and this title is no exception. But in order to explain it, I need to take you on a journey back in time, into the world of Biblical numerics — specifically, the symbolism of the number seven. Seven, in scripture, is often used to symbolize completion. We see this with the seventh day of creation being one of rest after the completion of the world. We see this with seven being used for the number of scrolls and wonders in Revelation, the sacrifices in the Old Testament, the markers to years (both seven, and seven times seven), and more. Seven, in the Biblical context, more often than not, symbolizes completion.

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Today is a “seven” in my own life. Today marks seven years since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Long before the pandemic was anywhere on our minds, September 21, 2016, marked the beginning of my own “new normal,” and the start of a life I never could have imagined.

In truth, the past seven years have held a lot for me. They have held much joy and much loss. I’ve grown and matured in faith. I’ve watched God at work in my life and the lives of others. I’ve been in weddings and spoken at funerals. I’ve completed a college degree and finished 2/3 of my Juris Doctorate. I’ve graduated and celebrated as my little sister graduated. I’ve traveled to every state on the East Coast. I’ve (we’ve) gone through a global pandemic. I’ve been baptized. I’ve led Bible studies. I’ve TA’d for 20+ classes. I’ve graded thousands of test questions and led dozens of review sessions. I’ve worked for great employers and learned from wonderful mentors. I’ve walked thousands upon thousands of steps. I’ve read and written hundreds of thousands of words and committed more verses of Scripture to memory. I’ve sung my own music in front of a crowd of 200+ and shared my testimony with as many. I’ve made precious memories with my family, and eaten thousands of meals of my mama’s delicious (now gluten-free!) cooking. I’ve gone to dozens of doctor’s appointments and received new diagnoses. I’ve cried and laughed and hugged. I’ve learned and grown and changed. I’ve grieved and rejoiced.

And… I’ve talked to countless people about the gospel, with the door being opened through each diagnosis.

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I thought a lot about this year being the year of completion… and my heart hurt a little today when I wondered why my journey in learning this portion of my life — the part where I struggle with a life-changing disease — didn’t feel complete. After all, wasn’t this when it should? Shouldn’t I feel like my learning, adapting, and growing to understand this new life of mine was completed? Shouldn’t I now be settled into the plans God has for me? Shouldn’t I have gotten used to the physical pain I deal with every day? Shouldn’t I FEEL that God’s molding of me, through the diagnosis of Celiac, is complete?

And then… then I remembered verse six — verse six of the first chapter of Philippians — a favorite verse of mine; a verse I have quoted so many, many times over the last seven years and before; a verse that speaks to my very heart and soul, and I hope will speak to yours:

“For I am confident of this: that He who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Oh, what precious relief and a powerful promise!! He is not finished. Completion isn’t today and my sanctification isn’t somehow “late.” My learning and growing and grieving and rejoicing over this life is not over. I am not “all done” growing in and through this, and He is not done with this stage of my life, nor with me.

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The next chapter of the story He writes for me may look very different. I do not know what the future holds. I do not know what the next year will bring, or where I will be working next year at this time. That is terrifying but also exciting! Because while I don’t know what the days will hold, I know that the same God who has begun a good work in me, holds my tomorrows. Yes, He holds my tomorrows, and He holds me.

Verse 6, in the 7th year — a reminder of the tremendous faithfulness of a good and gracious God; a renewed strength for today; and a bright, bright hope for tomorrow!

Love,

Jessica

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P.S. Check the blog, "Gratitude, Growth, and God's Abundant Grace," for my thoughts from each of the last six years.