I’m right in that happy age where many men have “mid-life crisis.” Some even suggest that brain changes around this age slow us down and make us less innovative (Arthur Brooks explores this in his book From Strength to Strength). It’s a time when we can either grow frustrated with ourselves and those around us, or we can begin to shift focus from being innovators to mentors.

A mentor once told me that I should begin to look around and take notice whenever I’m driving or walking. He didn’t want me to take my eyes off the road or do anything dangerous, but to see all the construction that happens day in and day out. Roads get widened. Bridges get demolished and rebuilt. Fields become neighborhoods. There is change everywhere.

His point was that we are all works in progress. We’re all being constructed as we go through life.

Paul had much the same view in Philippians 3. He knew he wasn’t yet the person he was meant to be in Jesus, but he would keep pressing on, striving, and growing.

“Do your best and forget the rest,” I’ve heard it said. That may not be true in all circumstances (sometimes we can’t forget the rest, even if we’ve done our best), but it’s a good reminder that we shouldn’t stress about not being there yet. We have a lifetime to grow. We’ll keep changing, and as we pursue Jesus, he’ll keep changing us.

You’re a work in progress and so am I. Let’s keep building together.

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