Fixing the Porch
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”. Phil 1:6 NKJV
During the quarantine, my mom and I decided to make some house improvements. One of the projects was to remove the carpet from our porch and leave out the wooden floor. I’m not used to that kind of heavy work, however, I’m blessed I got the opportunity to do it. As we began to remove the carpet and all the filthiness underneath it – hammering, sanding, and painting – I realized that’s exactly how God must feel regarding us. He has a specific picture of how He wants us to look like, but in order for that to happen, He first needs to work in us.
When Jesus walks into our lives at first, it’s like an owner walking into his pre-owned house for the first time. He is in love with it, and he sees all the wear and tear with excitement knowing exactly how he’s going to turn it over into a gorgeous house. He knows exactly how to make it beautiful. Jesus sees us with all our brokenness and frustrations and He’s excited because He knows how to make us beautiful and whole again.
When we come to Jesus, we bring our baggage of all the lies, disappointments, and misconceptions from the world; they are at the very center of our beliefs and foundation. Jesus loves us so much that He’s not willing to leave us in our old condition. Even though it hurts, He is willing to do the hard work: all the hammering, pulling, sanding, and painting in our lives because he knows that the process it’s going to bear good fruit. We will be able to enjoy a much deeper intimacy with Him and those around us. This is called the sanctification process. As Christians, when we go through difficult situations and are conformed more into the image of Christ, we’re being sanctified.
In our lives, when we’re going through troubles and tribulations, we feel like there’s constantly tearing apart and hammering down, however, these actions aren’t to bring us down, all the contrary, it’s to make us at the image of God: ” But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”. 2 Co. 3:18.
I challenge you today to not resent your trials and difficulties, rather praise God because He’s right there in the middle making beauty out of you. Embrace your tribulations with joy, being certain He’s just refining you as His masterpiece.
About the author: Anyeline is a mom to one, lover of Jesus, and enjoys a great cup of coffee. She is originally from the Dominican Republic, but is now a proud U.S. citizen. When visiting our church, you can find her teaching our young adult women or helping out in children’s ministry. She always has a smile and a warm greeting for friends and strangers alike.