I am not sure if it is the builder in me, but I enjoy the remodeling shows on HGTV. My favorites involve the “Property Brothers” (Drew & Jonathan Scott), but I also like “Fixer Upper” with Chip & Joanna, “Flip or Flop” with Tarek & Christina, and “Love It or List it” with Hilary & David. They fascinate me with how they fix up and renovate homes, but the costs seem excessive.
Christy and I have renewed and repaired several homes, and the price was always an issue. The process began with a dream of how we could improve the house, then we explored options for the process, and last, we did the work itself. Most of the time we were still living in the homes as we renovated, but one remodeling was so severe we had to move out. Each home was enhanced by our efforts.
As I thought about those shows and our experience, God whispered in my ear about a different kind of renovation. God reminded me of this passage: “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEB) God has a dream for remodeling our lives, and the cost has been paid in full.
Easter was a celebration of the power and possibility of newness of life. Now is the time to begin this process of renovation. Chip in “Fixer Upper” would call the beginning of this process “Demo Day”, and he loved it. I don’t think we appreciate this stage as much as he did.
We begin by removing what stands in the way of what we are building into our lives. We remove the brokenness, the harmful attitudes, and the clutter in our minds and hearts. We then make certain our foundation is secure by placing it on a deep and lasting relationship with Christ. And then we remodel by shaping our life to be more like Christ.
Renovation is a life giving and life long process, that we never give up on. We must be patient with ourselves and others on this path. Joel Hemphill wrote a song that expresses it well: “He's still working on me, to make me what I need to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, because He's still working on me.”
God is still working on us. I will see you in church. Remember, God loves us more than we can ever imagine, and I love you too!
Tom