Mandisa - Unfinished Lyrics
Lyrics
Not scared to say it
I used to be the one
Preaching it to you
That you could overcome
I still believe it
But it ain’t easy
‘Cause that world I painted
Where things just all work out
It started changing
And I started having doubts
And it got me so down
But I picked myself back up
And I started telling me
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 good
And He’s gonna complete it
So I’ll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain’t through
I’m just unfinished
I know His history
And the kind of God He is
He might make it a mystery
But He's proven I can trust in Him
And yeah, I believe it
Still working
Still, still working on me
He’s still working
Still, still working on me
Video
Mandisa - Unfinished (Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Mandisa's "Unfinished," released on January 3, 2020, as part of her "Overcomer: The Greatest Hits" compilation, serves as a powerful testament to faith in progress, even amidst personal struggles. The song emerges not from a place of effortless victory, but from the trenches of doubt, a rawness that makes its message all the more resonant. Mandisa openly acknowledges a time when she was the one offering encouragement, speaking of overcoming, only to find her own painted picture of a perfect resolution begin to crumble, leading to a profound personal low. This vulnerability sets the stage for the song's core declaration: the unwavering belief that God's work in her life is far from complete. She pivots from despair to a resolute affirmation, internalizing the truth that her divine architect is still actively shaping her into a masterpiece. This is not a passive waiting, but an active embrace of the ongoing process, recognizing that "He started something good / And I’m gonna believe it." The lyrics powerfully echo the sentiment found in Philippians 1:6, which states, "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." Mandisa grounds her hope in the character of God, acknowledging that while His methods might sometimes feel mysterious, His proven faithfulness allows her to trust Him completely. This echoes the promises in Jeremiah 29:11, where God declares, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The repeated refrain, "Still working," is not a confession of failure, but a celebration of divine persistence. It speaks to the ongoing sanctification, the continuous refinement that is a hallmark of the Christian walk. This is the very essence of what it means to be a believer, constantly being molded by the Potter's hand, as described in Isaiah 64:8: "But now, Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." "Unfinished" is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt the weight of imperfections or the sting of unmet expectations, reminding them that their current state is not their final destination, but rather a crucial chapter in a divinely authored narrative of redemption and growth.