Lately, I've been watching a lot of those house renovations shows. I love to see old broken houses transformed into something that looks new again. On a number of such shows, the house owners are willing to completely hand over the responsibility of the renovation to expert renovators.
Often, the renovators have no way of knowing the extent of the repairs required until they begin to work on the property, which can lead to some unexpected costs. Sometimes they need to completely tear down parts of the property (e.g. walls, bathrooms, kitchens etc.) while other times only minor adjustments are needed.
When the renovation is completed, the house owners are always pleasantly surprised at the transformation of their home. It may have cost a lot to renovate the house, but the resulting beauty of their home makes it worth the cost.
Recognising brokenness
The Christian walk can somewhat be like a house renovation. I was reminded of my own journey with Christ as I watched these houses come alive again. Prior to becoming a Christian, I recognised that I was broken but I didn't know how I could be made whole again. I was filled with so much guilt for the wrong choices I had made in the past that it began to cripple me.
It was only when I heard the gospel of Jesus Christ that I came to understand that the only person that could mend me was God's only son, Jesus. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, I received forgiveness for all the wrongs I had done. It was at this point that God came into my life and began to transform me.
Cracks and mould
My journey didn't end there. When I chose to put my trust in God, the “expert renovator” and allowed him to “renovate” me, He began to reveal the “cracks and mould” that existed in my life. Things that were hindering my relationship with him. He lovingly examined me to see what needed to be mended, removed or improved.
But unlike the human house renovator, God could see right through the walls built and has a deeper understanding of who I am. He can instantly detect hidden problems and personalises the solution to each individual.
Repair in progress...
The question I had to ask myself was whether I was willing to see and accept the repair that is required in my life. Was I willing to allow God to break down those walls so He could cleanse and restore me? Would I allow Him to fill those cracks and remove the mould in my life? Would I listen and act upon the remedy to the problem offered by God in order for me to become a better person?
Unless I was willing to admit that there was stuff in my life that prevents me from living the holy life God called me to live, it would be quite difficult to move forward in my Christian walk. Things like refusing to forgive others, pride, envy, poor prayer life or neglecting the word of God.
Would I turn away from my sinful ways and instead offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? Would I choose to be transformed by the renewal of my mind by abiding in God's word? If I was serious about my Christian walk, I knew I had to choose God's remedy. Only then would I be able to test and approve God's good, pleasing and perfect will for my life [Romans 12 verse 1 to 2].
Transformed
I have in no way reached perfection in my Christian walk. In fact, I will never be perfect. There are still things in my life that need to be dealt with. But what I ask of God, is for Him to continually search me, know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. That He points out anything in my life that offends Him and that He leads me along the path of everlasting life [Psalm 139 verse 23 to 24].
I can testify that my life has been greatly transformed ever since I believed and put my trust in Christ. I have experienced God's mercy, joy and love. I'm so glad that my imperfections are hidden in His son Jesus, that when God looks at me, He sees me through the beauty and perfection of His son Jesus Christ.
Kandima Awendila was born in ambique and lives and works as an IT Service Desk Engineer on the Gold Coast.
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