This week I’ve decided to write a Faith Fix based on my own questions and things that have been answered to me by God.
Planned or unplanned, I think in terms of building often. Actually, there is a lot of building metaphors in Scripture as well. Building new, to a builder, is almost always easier. When you have a clean slate so to speak, it’s much easier to make a plan and then build it. Preservation on the other hand is much more difficult as well as expensive. In fact, the reason that many structures over the years get ripped down instead of remodeled is because of the labor and financial costs.
When I build something, I rarely pound a nail without considering the future of the project. Because I have had to remodel so many structures, knowing that all things eventually require remodeling if they are to remain, I think of the people who will have to work on something I build years later. This does not mean I always build with consideration (sometimes I just want to get it done), I at least think about it.
When I’ve been remodeling something I’ve also learned some valuable lessons. If your goal is preservation, you cannot just rip into the structure. You have to deconstruct meticulously and thoughtfully if your goal is preservation. Also, you sometimes have to remove quite a lot (including what you thought you could keep) before you’re at a good place to build back. People paying for a renovation are often surprised at added and unexpected costs.
I don’t say all this stuff because I assume any of the readers here will be building. I say it because the Lord has taught me about life through this building process. Whatever we are building in life, we get to places where the structure needs revamped. Some people, when they get to this place in life, do what a lot of real estate developers do. They simply bring in the heavy equipment and tear down without any thought of preservation. They think, it’s simply too expensive to save.
In life, when we do this, there is something greater this can cost us. God is a restorative kind of God. In fact, the word salvation can be at times translated as preservation. If there’s anything that God knows, it’s the cost of preservation! We know John 3:16, but have we really considered it? John 3:16-17 (NASB) says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” The word saved here is the word in the New Testament used for salvation which is the Greek word sozo. In part it means, to preserve one who is in danger of destruction.
As with any structure built, don’t be surprised when at times your life needs to be remodeled. It’s inevitable in things that decay. I encourage you however, not to just tear down everything when there are things that are good. Maybe even just the foundation as 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NASB) says, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Be meticulous and thoughtful when your life needs remodeled. Fools rip it all apart and they lose the beautiful things which were formerly built.
If you have walked with God, truly, He has built beautiful things in your life. Carefully look for and preserve those things that are so valuable. Slowly deconstruct that which caused issues, and then allow God to rebuild what He intends. What He truly intended, He still intends for the future. It’s ok to need remodeled from time to time. Sometimes the future depends on it, don’t be discouraged by this. However, don’t lose what God wants to do in your life by throwing away the whole structure.
Life will have obstacles, being the life whose Builder and Maker is God will always remain a worthy structure. Yes it may cost you, but I encourage you that whatever God has begun is worth preservation. He thought so, we should too. Maybe you have additions to your life that over years have compromised the structure. Don’t be sad at their removal, but rejoice that the structure, the heart, is being preserved. God will always be the perfect Maker. Trust Him and His process, He will always make something worth preserving!
1 Peter 2:5 (NASB)
You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
