We
recently bought a house that hadn’t been upgraded for a while. Outdated wallpaper
covered nearly every room. For the last few weeks, we have been removing the
paper and painting the walls neutral colors. It has been tedious work, but
worth it. To quote our grandson, “Nana, now the house looks more like you and
PapPap!” (I think that’s a compliment—at least that’s how I choose to take it!
LOL)
As I thought about removing those layers of pink-peony and golf-themed paper covering our walls, it reminded me of the changes Jesus brings about in our lives when we accept Him as our Savior. What? How?
When someone new moves into a house, they clean, clean, clean, and eventually start to make changes. They paint, get new flooring, tear out old bushes and plant new ones, etc.
When we ask Jesus into our lives, a similar process happens. He helps us overcome bad habits, points out ungodly ways of thinking, and sorts out our relationships. Then He gives us beneficial practices, fresh perspectives, and connections with others who are living the Christian life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” To me, it sounds a lot like the process of upgrading a house when someone new moves in.
When Jesus “moves in” to our lives, things change in us. What was once important or worrisome or satisfying fades away. Jesus strips off our old, marred façade, and gives us a new way of looking at life. Our lives look more like Jesus!
And it is a process that goes on and on until we meet Him in Heaven. Just like with a house, there is no once and done; there is an ongoing need for refurbishment. It’s the same with our spiritual life. We don’t want to be complacent. We want to “Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Be encouraged!
©2024 Pamela D. Williams.
