To create beauty
sometimes you have to make a mess!
I am living in that mess right now. Does anyone remember the JoyNews May 2016 Newsletter where I spoke about my sweet hubby the “architecture snob?” If you recall, his dream home was an architecturally unique, sleek modern masterpiece, and we were having a really tough time finding that here in the Deep South, at least at an affordable price.
Fast forward to August when we finally decided we could no longer wait for the perfect house and bought a lovely Atlanta traditional style home. We are now in the process of making our new home into what the HGTV design experts might call a “transitional” beauty. We (or I should more accurately say – Paul) will put modern touches throughout, so there will be lots of surprises when you walk into this not-so-traditional home.
But OH MY what a mess!!!
One day as I admired the “beauty” of the large open space where our newly demolished great room shelves used to be, and marveled at my husband’s sheer will and tenacity as he tore down what once was a very formal fireplace, I realized that all this remodeling rubble looked the same as I feel sometimes – like a hot mess! And then it hit me… God is doing a Divine Renovation in my life – and yours! He is remodeling us to become the beauties He wants us to be. But in the process, He often makes what looks and feels like a huge mess!
You know the kind of mess I mean, don’t you? All the things we had become so accustomed to, things we thought were perfectly acceptable – even beautiful – are now being torn down and replaced by God best. Here are just a few examples of His renovation work:
- He tears down our unhealthy relationships
- He topples our bad habits like poor eating, or bad entertainment choices
- He chips away at our personal “idols” like money, control, or emotional neediness.
- He demolishes the very things we hold on to for security
Why? So He can remake us into the perfect image of His Son, Jesus. And yes… God often needs to make a huge mess as He does His rehab work.
The interesting thing is, unlike a wall or stone fireplace that can’t resist our demolition effort; we often fight the very work that is going to remake us. Now my husband will likely disagree with me, stating emphatically that this house is in fact fighting him every step of the way! But houses don’t push back the way we do when we resist our loving God.
We cling to the things we think we need. We argue and hold tight to doing things our own way, when God is offering something so much better. We often refuse to let go of the very things we know are holding us back from being all God wants us to be.
Why would we fight God? Because we think we know best! And because we like things the way they were before God started His Divine Renovation. We’re kind of like a person who loves ultra-traditional homes walking into the midst of our remodeling mess and saying, “What have you done to this beautiful house?!?!” They can’t see what we have planned. And even if they could, they liked the house the way it was before we started all the changes. And so do we… even when God is the architect!
Often, as God is doing His “tear down” in our lives, we are thinking, “God! What are you doing? Don’t take that away! Oh no Lord… not that too!” It’s so hard for us to let go. God’s renovation work is painful. It’s messy. And it takes patience and vision. The good news is God doesn’t make us go through the mess without giving us a perfect image of what He has planned. All we have to do is look at Jesus.
When God’s renovation in us is complete we will look just like Him! (2 Corinthians 3:18) That IS good news! And, even though God’s full work won’t be finished until we reach our final home in heaven, isn’t the flawless beauty of Jesus is worth the wait? Worth going through the pain of the renovation and the mess – worth whatever we have to give up, add on, tear down, dig out, throw away, or get out of the way? And oh the joy of watching as God gradually makes us into new people.
And make no mistake – He is the One doing the making! Never forget that this renovation is NOT a DIY project! No self-improvement here. God is the architect, the construction manager, the builder, the tradesman, and the clean-up crew. This is a hands-off project that takes giving up, giving in, and giving control to Him. Then watch what beauty He can create from the rubble!
It reminds me of a pin that many of us wore during my high school years. It said, “Please be patient – God isn’t finished with me yet!” How true that is even today at the ripe old age of – well, never mind – I don’t even want to talk about that!
Are there renovations going on in your life right now? What is God doing in you? How is He making you more like Jesus? Share your story with others! Click on the Comments link at the top right of this page.
Blessings and JOY to you all!
