September 3, 2008
Renovation
by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
Right now, my family and I are in the process of renovating our new house—painting walls, rebuilding the kitchen, laying down carpet, and of course, touching up all those little stains and spots along the way. It is amazing what two or three coats of paint can do to a stain—suddenly it vanishes like magic.
But it’s still there.
It hasn’t left our house.
It’s just waiting for the paint to wear off after a few years.
I do the same thing in my life… I find some little sin or stain and I cover it over with a happy smile, hoping no one will see what’s underneath. I try to convince myself that if I bury something deep enough, it won’t resurface. And at first, my life looks so perfect—without mark.
But my sin is still there.
It hasn’t left my heart.
And it’s just waiting, biding it’s time before it creeps back out for everyone to see.
God is the Master Renovator of our lives… He alone knows how to remove those spots completely and without a trace. If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us (I John 1:9).
We can’t cover those little dark spots and blemishes on our own. All we can do is paint over them. God can totally erase them.
So which contractor will you give your life to? God, the Master Renovator? Or yourself? Only one person can get the job done right (hint: it isn’t you!!).
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Bio: Lydia Rule is discovering the joys of renovating. She has learned that after you are done painting a ceiling, you can easily wipe off all those paint dribbles on your glasses. In addition, she has discovered that home decorating shows make things look easier than they actually are. For more helpful home tips, please ask someone else (preferably an expert).
Debbie says:
Great devo, Lydia! You always amaze me…here you are renovating and getting a book published and searching for a job and you *still* manage to keep it all together. I’ll never how you do it!
Debbie
BJ says:
LO0VED this!