While April and I were working on remodeling another portion of our house yesterday, I was reminded of how God remakes us. Today, I am tired and sore! Making something new again takes commitment to finish the task and a lot of hard work. But in the end, the result is worth it. With God, though, it’s not about how the outside looks but how the inside is.

Like a house, God starts with our foundation. We must be built on solid ground.

24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” Mat. 7:24-27 (MSG)

Then He addresses the condition of the walls, the doors, and the windows of our soul. He straightens walls, fortifies doors, and replaces broken or worn-out windows. Why? Because He wants us to walk straight, upright. The door, because He is concerned about what or who, we are allowing in our lives and the influence they may have upon us. The windows, because He is aware of what we see and how much it affects us. Our eyes are the channel that makes an impression of what we think.

22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! Mat. 6:22-23 (MSG)

And let’s not forget the roof. God wants to be our covering. Providing safe shelter in the stormy times of our lives. A place where we can rest and sleep instead of being up all night worrying. A place where there is an atmosphere of the Fruit of the Spirit of God. Love, joy, peace, etc.

Our house is getting closer to being completed. But there is one room that still has the old color of paint. I called it beige, but April corrected me and said it was camel or tope. That room is the garage, and it still has a popcorn ceiling. It’s ugly! I will address it, too, someday. Some people will always leave a portion of their old life intact. As if they are afraid to totally let go of the “old man” or the way they used to be. Perhaps they like to look back, like Lot’s wife. I can recall fine where I came from and what I used to be like before God started His remodeling project of my life.

 I hope you will be willing to allow God to remodel you. The good part is the project won’t cost you a thing. It is already paid for by His Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, it not only provided you the forgiveness of your sins but also a relationship with the Master Contractor, God. And Jesus knows a thing or two about being a carpenter.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.