Tuesday, September 04, 2018

 

Sometimes, what starts as a simple renovation, becomes a total makeover. Roughly, 15 years ago, my family and I went on a vacation. When we returned, we found that our kitchen cabinets had fallen off the wall; there were broken cups, glasses, plates, and dishes everywhere. The time had come to renovate the kitchen cabinets.

 

We had a closet in our kitchen that housed our washer and dryer. We decided to move the washer and dryer to the garage in order to create more cabinet space. We had a problem however; we just did not have enough space in the garage for the washer and dryer. So, in order to free up space in the garage we decided to change the water heater from a tank system to a space saving electric system. After developing a design that that we liked, we realized that our old appliances would not fit with our new approach. Therefore, we found ourselves having to go out and purchase new appliances. After purchasing the new appliances, we realized that we had to redo the electrical system not just in the kitchen but also in the garage in order for the appliances to work. What began as a cabinet renovation became a total kitchen makeover.

 

The majority of us come to God asking Him to renovate certain areas of our lives. However, God is looking to give us a total makeover. We come to God with a few character flaws and God says let us start over because I do not want to simply create a better version of you, I want to transform your character into the character of my son Jesus. God wants to transform you be renewing your mind. He wants to change the old way in which you thought about marriage, family, children, work, time and every area of your live so that you can see things from His vantage point.

 

You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  Colossians 3: 7-10 NIV

 

When we came to Christ, we were given a new nature and identity. The problem however is that we kept our old mind’s nature and programming. We have a new self, but with an old programming. God wants to lead us through the process of renewing our minds into the knowledge and image of our creator.

 

Perhaps you came to Christ for a simple renovation, to create a better version of your self. However, God wants to lead you to a total makeover by changing your old ways of thinking. This will happen as we learn to know our Creator, gradually we will become more and more like Him. Just as I wanted to renovate my kitchen cabinets and ended up changing my washer, dryer, and my electrical system in addition to the cabinets, God, in the same manner wants to change every area of your life.