Unfinished Lines, Unfolding Grace

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” —Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Have you ever started something with excitement, only to see it quietly fade away? Years ago, I thought I might become an artist. I bought sketchpads and pencils, practiced shading and form, and began with enthusiasm. However, over time, the hours I had carved out for practice were gradually consumed by other responsibilities. My commitment waned, and whatever talent I may have had went undeveloped. The only drawing I do now is with our grandchildren—and the images are only slightly better than stick figures.

And I know I’m not alone in that experience. We all have stories like this—unfinished books, unopened guitar cases, half-written letters, or even relationships we meant to nurture but didn’t. Sometimes we lose momentum. Sometimes fear whispers, “What if I’m not good enough?” At other times, life simply gets in the way: a new job, a health crisis, or a shift in priorities. And sometimes, we start something for the wrong reasons—seeking approval, chasing perfection, or trying to prove ourselves.

However, Proverbs 16:3 offers a different starting point: not perfection or performance, but a commitment to the Lord. This isn’t a guarantee that everything we begin will succeed in worldly terms. It’s a promise that when our intentions are rooted in God’s purposes, our plans are shaped by grace, not just grit.

This verse invites us to reframe our unfinished projects—not as failures, but as opportunities to recommit. What if we entrusted our creativity, our efforts, even our hesitations to God? What if we asked not, “Will this succeed?” but “Will this serve?” Whether it’s a ministry initiative, a personal goal, or a quiet act of care, God honors the heart behind the work.

I’m not saying I would’ve become a great artist. But I wonder what might have unfolded if I had offered that desire to God—not for acclaim, but for connection, for joy, for the simple act of creating.

Maybe it’s time to buy some new art supplies and start again. Not to prove anything, but to practice presence. To let the act itself be a prayer. And maybe that’s the invitation for all of us: to begin again, not alone, but accompanied.

God of beginnings and grace, you see the projects we’ve left behind, the dreams we’ve shelved, the efforts that faltered. Help us not to be ashamed of what’s unfinished, but to offer it to You anew. Teach us to commit our work, our hopes, and our hands to Your care. Establish our plans not for perfection, but for purpose. And remind us that in Your love, no effort is wasted. Give us courage to begin again—with You.  Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim