The Renovation

Over the last couple of weeks, we've had work done on our living and dining room. The room was sadly way past due for an update! God reminded me of a few truths in the midst of the renovation.

As the old carpet was removed, walls sanded and painted, and new flooring laid, I couldn't help but think about my old self and the renovation I've undergone. Remodeling is not for the faint of heart. I knew the end result would be worth it, but when the living room couch, 2 Wing back chairs and a dining table were sitting in the den with me, and dust covered almost everything in the house, I had to wonder.

Truth #1: When God does the job of remodeling our hearts,

 it can get messy but the end result will be worth it. God uses every mess to make me

 more like Christ.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:28, 29)

 

The carpet was worn and dirty (thanks to an old sick dog and a new puppy!). My old nature was worn and dirty by sin. Just as the carpet was pulled up and discarded and new, clean flooring was placed, God has removed the old and dirty in me and placed a new nature, one clean and fresh by the cleansing of Jesus.

 Truth # 2: God can take even the dirtiest of sinners like me, 

clean them up and make them new.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
 

The walls at first glance looked ok (except for that awful shade of blue-what was I thinking when I picked it?), but with close inspection it was obvious they were damaged and needed repair. At first glance, I may look ok on the outside but under my paint, I was and am definitely broken and need fixing!

Truth #3: God sent the best Carpenter, His Son Jesus, to fix and repair the broken. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

 

The furniture in the room was handed down to me by my grandmother and I still love it. It is  mahogany and has aged beautifully. As we brought back the "old"  into the "new" room, I was reminded of how the old nature in me sometimes tries to creep back into the new nature. 

Truth #4: I am not controlled by the old, because of the life-giving Holy Spirit in me.

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." (Romans 8:9)

 

I am pleased with the outcome of the renovation, but as I prepared the lesson for the Connect Group (SS) I teach, I was reminded that the room and everything in it means nothing. In the end, I will stand before God's throne and it will be just God and me. All the "earthly" things I love and have done will not matter. Only my relationship with Jesus and what I've done with a kingdom perspective to glorify God will matter. Only those things will last.

 

Truth # 5: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3: 10-13)



(Thank you to Robert Hunnings, Romero Sosa, Ben Francis, and of course my husband Rod, for their part in the renovation!
And yes, I love my Butterscotch accent wall!)