Evening Scripture

2 Corinthians, Chapter 5 
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Evening Reflection 

Tonight’s Scripture reminds us that becoming the person God is making us to be is not about striving harder—it’s about surrendering more deeply. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul paints a beautiful picture of the Christian life. We are reminded that this world is not our permanent home, that we walk by faith and not by sight, that anyone in Christ is a new creation, and that God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus.  Every part of the chapter points to one incredible truth: God is continually making us more like Christ day by day. The problem is that transformation rarely feels as dramatic as we’d like. Most days, becoming looks ordinary and mundane. It looks like choosing forgiveness when resentment feels easier. It looks like trusting God when the future feels uncertain. It looks like praying when you don’t immediately see answers. It looks like getting back up after you’ve stumbled and believing that God’s grace is still enough.

Sometimes we become so focused on who we wish we already were that we overlook the ways God has already changed us. Maybe you’re more patient than you were a year ago. Maybe you respond with more grace than you once did. Maybe your first instinct is now to pray instead of panic. Those quiet changes matter because they are evidence that the Holy Spirit is faithfully at work within you. I’ve learned that God is far more patient with my growth than I am. There have been seasons where I felt discouraged because I wasn’t where I wanted to be spiritually. But looking back, I can now see that while I was focused on the destination, God was faithfully shaping my heart one day at a time. Every season—even the difficult ones—became part of the person He was creating me to be.

Just as a seed grows beneath the soil long before anyone sees a flower, God is often doing His greatest work beneath the surface of our lives. You may not always see your growth, but that doesn’t mean growth isn’t happening. I’m sure you can look back at times years later and be amazed at your growth. It’s not until looking back in hindsight that you see God was growing something within you the entire time.  So tonight, don’t measure yourself by who you used to be or by how far you still have to go. Instead, thank God that He hasn’t stopped working. The One who made you a new creation is still faithfully shaping you, and He will continue that work until the day you see Him face to face.

Evening Prayer

Dear Father,
Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank You that when I placed my faith in Christ, You began making me new from the inside out. Even on the days when I feel like I’m not changing fast enough, remind me that You are still at work within me. Forgive me for the times I’ve measured myself by my failures instead of Your faithfulness. Help me stop defining myself by old labels, old shame, or old versions of who I used to be.
Teach me to trust the slow work of transformation. Shape my heart to look more like Yours. Grow in me greater love, patience, wisdom, and kindness. Continue removing anything that doesn’t reflect You, even when the process feels uncomfortable. Thank You that the work You started in me will not be wasted. As I sleep tonight, continue forming me into the person You created me to become.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Want More?

🎉 This week, we're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.