Fixer Upper

Don’t we all love a good “fixer upper” story? Chip and Joanna Gains even made a super successful TV show about it by rehabbing houses. They sledgehammer a wall down and open up a space, install shiplap paneling, add modern-farmhouse accents and by the end of the show, an old house is transformed into a “new” home! It gets our imagination going about what we could do to renew our own homes or living space.

I’m a designer, so my brain loves to watch this kind of show. I like possibilities and variety and changing things around. I get bored with too much repetition when there are so many new things to try. Even as a child, I could never understand how someone could have a dish of little “fancy” soaps in the shape of seashells in the guest bathroom so old they were dusty, faded, and no longer had any scent. What year do they get thrown away? Ok, I feel better now for saying that and don’t have to hold it in anymore :).

But it isn’t just homes that need to be repaired and spruced up. At times we’re the “fixer upper”! If we ignore things that shouldn’t go on and build up a tolerance to them, they cause problems, just like a house.

• If the heating and air conditioning system is neglected and the filters aren’t replaced with clean ones, the air is contaminated with dirt.
• If the roof is leaking and ignored, water can damage the whole house. Mold will grow and cause serious illness.
• If the foundation is cracked and not repaired, the entire structure is unstable and could collapse.

Our conscience is like the filter. Is yours clean?

Our relationship with God is like the roof. Do you maintain it by reading His Word and praying to rely on His protection?

Our faith in God is like the foundation. What is your life built on?

Jesus Himself talks about the foundation of our lives in this parable in Matthew 7:24-28 (NIV):

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Notice that Jesus said the wise man or woman “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice.” There are definitely storms in the world today. Many people – young and old – are dealing with crippling anxiety and stress. Maybe you are too. It’s a good time to take a walk around your life and look at the foundation. Is it strong and built on almighty God or on your emotions? On His trustworthy promises or what the news and culture are telling you? On what’s temporary or what’s eternal?

Every one of us is a work in progress. But don’t miss the most important help you can have in your life: Jesus Christ. He’s not only the architect with the blueprint of salvation, He created every part of you. He knows what your “fixer upper” needs and sees what your life can be. Ask Him to help you do the work!

RESET HIGHER: Have you been so busy “decorating” your life with things that you’ve neglected the foundation and what needs repair before causing more damage? Stop putting it off and be proactive to avoid a disaster that could have been prevented.