The house repairs from the May roof-removing storm are almost complete. Only painting and a final floor re-polish remain. We’re almost done.

Sometimes I love ‘almost.’ Other times it exhausts me.

On one hand ‘almost’ teases a light at the end of the tunnel. A happy ending where they fall in love forever after. A final dash to the finish line and victory.

But the way the world works too many almosts don’t happen.

The deal almost got done. But didn’t. The baby almost recovered. But didn’t. They almost reconciled and avoided divorce. But, alas, not this time.

For a world aching for hope ‘almost’ dangles it like a ball of stinkbait in front of a catfish. It’s hard to nibble on it without avoiding the treble hook.

Which is an almost world needs the certainty of Jesus.

Colossians 2 speaks of God the Father depositing all of His fullness in Jesus, the Son, who in turn fills us with God, the Holy Spirit.

The word ‘fullness’ denotes ‘completion.’ Nothing divine missing in Jesus. The perfect melding of divine and human into one Man.

This God-Man fully completed the work He came to do.

• Restore the relationship between Creator and created. Check.
• Make amends for all the wrongs flowing from our ingrained selfishness. Check.
• Replace our greatest worry – death – with our greatest love – life. Triple check.

All of that belongs to you now. All of His results. All of His victories. All of His love, forgiveness, and wisdom. All completely yours.

You received it all in your baptism. All for when you’re facing the almosts of life.

May you find joy with the almosts of this world come true. May you not despair when they don’t. Instead look back on your calendar. Find that baptism date and rest in Jesus. He only deals in certainties.