Closed for Renovations

 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:16

The passage of time, storms, and decay will take a toll on nearly every structure man can build.  Even as temples of God, we are no different.

Fortunately a carpenter’s “son,” can take what we are and make us so much better. Jesus allows us the grace to be repaired and totally transformed. However, His transformation may dictate that we “close for renovations.”

Closed for renovations may require shutting away people who impart only negativity. Closing may entail loss of things near and dear to you such as habits and pleasures you squirm at the very thought of losing. Closing may require that you change your mind, thoughts and priorities. It may even require fixing what you watch and read.

If you can’t tolerate your present condition, God can renovate you!

God takes away addictions. God heals. God can grant you grace for the changes you seek.

He exchanges cracked foundations for solid footing. Whatever our need, God repairs or compensates for any deficiency. God can rebuild us so completely we don’t even recognize ourselves!

If we are willing to be transformed we must study God’s Word, and implement His teachings! Doing this imparts wisdom in us and glorifies Him. This submission to change requires determination and motivation.

It is often painful and messy.

It will take longer than expected and cost more than anticipated. You may find yourself in the very midst and wonder why you ever asked for “help” as everything in your life appears to get  worse.

The guts of your temple get exposed and rearranged. Your comfortable insulation may be ripped away.  But God also removes old floors of guilt and walls of shame. God can even make you energy-efficient!

It is only through God’s hand on us that we can resist the rain, withstand the floods, and endure harsh winds.

Are you tired of the same old thing? Are you ready for something new?

Answer His call.

Let Him do a good work in you and on you. Let Him rebuild you inside and out.

Dare to renovate and then celebrate the new thing God does in you!

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. “Matthew 7: 24-27 NKJV

 

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

26 comments

      1. That is partly why I live 30 miles north of her, but it is not far enough sometimes. I have to do a lot of praying for her and my sanity. I love her and my children, but from a distance. Otherwise I get too sucked in. I am the only one of three that pretty much tolerates her and will help when she wants something. Makes me feel my age plus about ten years sometimes. 🙂

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  2. So very true. When we are baptized into Jesus, we put off the old and put on the new person. But many of us continue to try to live with “one foot in the church and one foot in the world! Our trust and faith needs to grow and improve; we need to work on the process of “less me, more Him.”

    We hopefully get to the point of saying “all of Him, none of me.” That’s when a person oddly enough finds “all” of who and what he should be, in this life and in the Lord.

    TTL

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    1. Very, very true. Our freedom comes from letting of our past and embracing the changes our God would do in us. I believe there are many who struggle with stress and discontent because they are not allowing our Creator to mold them into all He has called them to be.

      Thanks for dropping by today and taking time to comment. Peace to you!

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  3. Renovations are indeed messy but oh the joy in the renewal…beautiful message and photograph as always. Your posts minister to me always, thank you my friend 🙂

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