Jesus First: Seven Practices to Put Your Life Back in Orderნიმუში

Day 2: The Practice of Progress

Many of us long to put Jesus first in every area of life. But if we’re honest, there’s often a gap — between the Christ-centred person we want to be and who we actually are. Over time, that gap can feel like a ‘done deal’: too wide to make up the difference. So we shrink back, not because we don’t care, but because we quietly believe we’ll never measure up.

In a culture addicted to flawless performance, this makes sense. We’re taught to curate our image, hide our flaws, and give up if we can’t keep up. But pretending to be perfect while knowing we’re not is exhausting! It damages our joy, kills our motivation, and – worst of all – disfigures our relationship with God.

Into that pressure, Paul speaks a liberating truth: God isn’t demanding your perfection, but He is committed to your progress. And the best part? It’s not on you to finish what He started. You can proudly and freely be a ‘work in progress’.

Putting Jesus first doesn’t begin with striving. It begins with surrender. It’s not powered by willpower or spiritual life-hacks, but by God’s grace and faithfulness. As Tim Keller says, “The Christian life is not about trying harder, but trusting deeper.”

In today’s passage, Paul reminds the Philippians of God’s part in the process: Jesus began this. Jesus is sustaining this. Jesus will complete this. It’s pretty reassuring! His effort, not yours, is the anchor. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

If you want to put Jesus first in your real, everyday life, you must stop trying to be your own saviour, project manager, or measuring stick. Rather, let His grace set the pace. Then follow, obediently and wholeheartedly, step-by-step. Commit to the practice of progress.

The practice of progress means choosing formation over performance, integrity over image, direction over speed, and tiny repetitions over big resolutions. It’s returning to Jesus again and again – prioritising His presence over the world’s pressure and allowing Him to reform and transform you one moment at a time.

Today, you are not the finished product, and that’s okay. Don’t let that truth create distance between you and God. Let it draw you nearer. Wherever you’re starting from — dry, doubtful, distracted, or devoted — begin there. And keep going. Dwell on Paul’s beautiful promise until it sinks deep: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV verse 6). Don’t give up!

Practice Prompt: In your journal or notes app, start a “progress over perfection” list. Each evening, ask: How did I move toward Jesus today — even in a small way? Maybe you paused to pray before reacting. Maybe you chose compassion over criticism. Maybe you opened the Bible instead of Instagram. Celebrate the small wins. These micro-movements matter — they are forming you into the likeness of Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, you’re not asking for my perfection. You’re asking for my trust. Today, help me to pursue progress in whatever small ways I can. You have begun a good work in me. Now, keep shaping me. Keep renewing me. Keep transforming me until the work is done.

Amen.