There is an impressive landmark in New York City, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It has the largest rose window in the country with 10,000 pieces, and a striking Gothic nave of 230 feet, just to mention a few of its notable features. However, it is not finished. There have been a number of reasons why its completion has been delayed, including a fire in 2001; as a result, this remarkable cathedral has been dubbed “St. John the Unfinished.”
I look at those temporary windows by the choir loft, anxious to see the original stained-glass windows returned, repaired and ready to be installed so that our sanctuary doesn’t feel – well, unfinished.
It is one thing to talk about unfinished with buildings, but quite another for people; for us – how we fall short of being the persons God calls us and intends us to be. One of the readings for Advent is Philippians 1:3-11. In these verses the apostle Paul takes joy in the Philippian church’s partnership in the gospel, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (NIV).
The Greek text makes it clear the apostle is being very precise in the assertion that until the Advent of Christ – and in this context, that means the Second Coming – we are “unfinished” in a sense. The “good work” began in us by God’s grace and love is in process, at work; intended to abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…until the day of Christ.
Advent is when we are to consider how God’s love and grace are working in and through us in the meantime. Though we are not perfect, we are assured that God’s perfect work of righteousness is filling us even now through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Jesus came at Christmas, but Jesus is still coming to us until that Day when all will be right. In the meantime, we give thanks, we pray, we defend and confirm the gospel; we learn and discern what is best, unfinished as we may be.
No, my God’s not done
Making me a masterpiece
He’s still working on me
He started something good and I’m gonna believe it
He started something god and he’s gonna complete it
So I’ll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain’t through
I’m just unfinished.
* “Unfinished,” sung by Mandisa, genius.co