After finishing the basement the year we moved into a new
home, I thought construction would no longer take place. Well, I was wrong. See, one aspect of a finished basement remained
undone after completion of walls, doors, accessories, painting and carpet. The ceiling lacked insulation and tile. Under construction – round two.
I am never a good sport about construction projects
involving the inside of the house. I can
script the daily events out exactly. It
starts with material carried through the house to the designated area. Loud, heavy and disastrous tools mold the
material to desired size or shape. The
material is then properly placed to create a finished product. The result – beauty.
My thoughts know the end will bring improvement to the
home. I trust those working diligently
on the project to finish with success. I
love the looks when completed. But
(there is always a but following a positive list), I (strongly) dislike the
mess created in the home during the beautifying process. It seems destruction precedes beauty every time.
Each night, the vacuum ran and materials were organized to
the side. Insulation particles, wood shavings,
tile pieces and spare items covered the construction zone. It would be nice to set up cones, tape up the
area and keep distance throughout the process.
Unfortunately, much takes place through the construction zone. Therefore, cleaning must occur nightly to
function daily.
It seems I am not the best sport when it comes to a
construction projects in another area either – my heart. After coming to know Jesus and taking Him as
my Lord and Savior, I thought all is well and no need to change anything I was
doing. I was done, right? Wrong!
See, taking Jesus as our Lord and Savior is actually the starting point
to a lifetime of construction projects.
Once our burdens lay at the foot of the cross, our Father can now begin
working to beautify.
Upon creating you, He touched every fiber, placed the exact
pieces together, gave life to each organ and planned a glorious life specific
to you. Unfortunately, we come to be
with one aspect left undone. Our spirit
lay dormant until we decide, understand and take the step in faith to activate
the Holy Spirit in our lives. Until this
point, we function in life but lacking purpose.
Once we believe and decide to follow Jesus, this new life must undergo
construction – round two.
God presents the proper material needed to begin the
transformation. “Do not conform to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2) God provides the
tools needed to mold, shape and size all while protecting the beauty
within. “Stand firm then, with the belt
of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness
in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of
the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Everything done while under the protection of our Father results in
beauty!
Remain focused on the goal of improvement. Success always comes when God is the lead Man. He does more than we can ask or imagine. Guaranteed to love the finished project,
trust must be first and foremost.
Yes, it may get messy from time to time with life scattered
all over. Avoid the desire to hide or
keep distance from others. It is in the
messiest of construction that others see His light shining through. Your construction zone becomes a testimony
that will touch lives.
Construction will continue until we meet our Maker face to
face. Embrace it knowing and trusting
the end product will be more beautiful than the beginning product. My basement now has a beautiful ceiling. The beauty supersedes any of the images I had
when my husband explained it. I made it
through yet another construction project, coming through with stronger
character and increased patience. I may
be ready to face another one (nah, not just yet).
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
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