I love to watch home improvement shows. I especially love to watch Chip and Joanna Gaines, because they take a home that is outdated and make it a stunning new showcase. As I was out for my run I noticed a few homes in our neighborhood undergoing some sort of remodel project and it got me to thinking about this idea.
I love the homes that are old and run down, the ones with the biggest change. I love when people go in and see that they have “good bones”. We have all probably heard that term before but as I was thinking about it today all I could think is that is how God looks at us, His children. I started to get this picture of all of us needing some sort of remodel, but God sees we have “good bones”. For some of us this transformation isn’t huge like the overhauls that I love to watch, but instead they are minor changes, like what I’m doing at my new house. My house doesn’t need to have a full remodel. Yes, the kitchen needs an upgrade, however the rest of the house only needs some paint and little touch ups.
Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash
Some of us come to know God and we haven’t had a bad past. Those of you were relatively good in the eyes of man. Then there are those that were either addicted to drugs, leading a life that lead to imprisonment or any of the many sins that we fall into. The great news, the gospel, is for ALL of us. God sent His Son into the world for ALL of them (John 3:16) “For All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). You and I are no different. A sin is a sin, even if its a small lie or those that murder. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is the answer for ALL of us.
As I was thinking about the idea of transformation and remodeling today, all I could think about is that this is how God is with us. Some of us when we come to him we need a complete restoration because we are so far from him, but yet God sees our “good bones” and takes us down to our studs and begins to put up new walls and build a new home that He can reside in. Others they may need a complete new foundation or a new locations. For those He will put holy stilts under them and either move us to where He wants us or adds the Cornerstone of Jesus to our new foundation.
As I think about this I’m in awe at the remodeling I see in my own life and the lives of those around me. I myself didn’t need a new foundation but I feel as if God had to tear down my walls so that He could build new ones. I remember having a vision of a foundation years ago and the Lord told me this was me. I was confused and felt a little sad, but then He shared how He needed to build the walls on this foundation so that my walls would never come down again. What I realized is that the walls I had built originally were built from lies that I had been fed from the world. Wow
I feel as if many of us are in the midst of a renovation that only God alone can perform. If you are feel like your going thru this transformation I want to encourage you that He is the general manager(GM). On a construction sight the GM has the plans and is watching over everything. The Holy Spirit is our GM and we need to listen to Him for direction. Sometimes we will have to tear out the walls. This may be a conviction we have about an area in our life that is keeping us from drawing near to our Father. Our Father knows what is best for us and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit to direct and guide us. We have to choose whether to heed his direction or go our own way. Let me say that our Father is a good father and wants what is best for us. He wants the full restoration but he know us and sometimes we aren’t ready for the whole thing yet. So He will change one room at a time, or one area of our lives. Little by little the whole house will be restored into His house.
Let me say one other thing about renovations and remodels. They take time and effort. We need to invest our time into change and it may hurt sometimes. However, God knows you can do it and He is willing to take it one step at a time with you. His Spirit is with you to guide you and direct your every step. With God ALL things are possible (Phil 4:13). This is a promise and we can count on Him to be true to His word.
I don’t know what transformation you are going through yet I do know God’s word states, “Do not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) As we see from the beautiful homes that have been restored, when we come to renew our minds we will see the good and perfect will of God in our lives. He has great plans for you, you have good bones, rejoice in the remodeling He is doing in your life.
My prayer: Father God I thank you for the remodeling you are doing in our lives. Help us to seek You for direction and guidance as we tear down strong holds that may be keeping us from drawing closer to you. Help us to know what step is next to do along the way. Help us to seek your word for truths that will rebuild the lies we tear down so that we are restored little by little into the people you have called us to be. May we be assured in your love through the process of change. Let us praise You during the days that appear impossible knowing that with You all things are possible.