The tile guy is on the way!
In a week the we are going to tear up old carpet and other flooring in our home and replace it all with new tile. Paying attention to our flooring has been something we have been considering since we moved into our home almost five years ago. We are excited about the new look our home will have in a couple of short weeks.
The only thing I am worried about is the curse of remodeling. You know the one. It is the curse of having the work of renewing (in this case, tile) will bring into sharp clarity others items that need attention. I am holding on to my wallet and hoping we won't be getting new cabinets or furniture or paint!
I am always amazed at how "blind" I can become to all that is around me. Dings on the walls and smudges to the cabinet's finish, everything that is a little rough around the edges blend into the forest of the familiar and only come to into focus when something changes. In some ways we get a new set of eyes to see all that is around us.
In his Revelation, John writes these words: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth..." (21.1) The vision revealed to John is God's desire the whole of His Creation. God desires that all be made new. John continues, writing, " [and] I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, as a bride adorned for her husband." (21.2) And then he reiterates the promise God made to His people: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them as their God." (21.3)
I wonder what you and I would notice about our life if we saw what John saw? What would our life, our world, our church look like if we held it up in side-by-side with God's vision of newness for His creation? Where would the dings in our life be? Where is our life externally smudged? Where have we blended into the forest of the familiar and succumbed to complacency?
Each one of us is a remodeling project in the hands of the Master Craftsman. God is in the process of making each one of us a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our Father's purpose is that we live into our identity as His covenant people who see and share with others the vision God has for making the whole creation new. His Spirit works in and through our lives to bear fruit that will be a blessing for others.
Where is God bringing change in your life? What new things are you seeing? What might this new clarity of vision show you about God's purpose for your day-to-day life?
The Lord who sits upon the throne reminds us, "Behold, I am making all things new." (21.5) Today I pray I receive a new set of eyes so that I might continue to recognize how I can share the blessings God has given me with others. Today I pray that your eyes will see anew God's blessings in your life and help you to share those blessings with others.
Comments