After they were married, Mary and Joe discovered they had a fundamental difference. Mary loved to move the furniture and redecorate their house. Joe was happy with the way things were. An uncluttered home with a table and chairs, TV, refrigerator, bed and a few easy chairs was good enough for him.
But not for Mary. She added things, moved them around and found ways to make their home more efficient and attractive. Joe helped her move things, but at first didn’t see why this was needed.
But the more she redecorated, the better their house looked. Soon Joe began to appreciate her changes, and he complimented her and even offered suggestions. In her own way, Mary was helping Joe become a better person.
God loves to redecorate our lives. If you let Him live in your heart long enough, you will begin to see changes. Pictures of hurt will be replaced with landscapes of grace. Walls of anger will be removed and shaky foundations restored. Cracks will be patched and walls repainted.
God can no more leave a needy life unchanged than a mother can leave her child’s dirty face unwashed. It’s not enough for God to have you for His own. He wants to change you and make you better.
Suppose a father buys his little boy an ice cream cone and as he’s giving it to him, notices his mouth is filled with dirt. Father loves him, despite the dirt, but he first washes his child’s mouth, and then gives him the ice cream.
God does the same for us. He loves us no less because of our dirty faces, but first He cleanses us to prepare us for something better. Apostle Paul wrote, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9)
The trials, sickness or struggles we have are God’s way of cleansing us for something better. He loves us all, despite our sins and rebellion, and He wants to change us to be better. So let’s thank God for our struggles. He’s preparing us for something much greater.
God loves us as we are, but He may not leave us that way for long. He wants us to be like Jesus.
But not for Mary. She added things, moved them around and found ways to make their home more efficient and attractive. Joe helped her move things, but at first didn’t see why this was needed.
But the more she redecorated, the better their house looked. Soon Joe began to appreciate her changes, and he complimented her and even offered suggestions. In her own way, Mary was helping Joe become a better person.
God loves to redecorate our lives. If you let Him live in your heart long enough, you will begin to see changes. Pictures of hurt will be replaced with landscapes of grace. Walls of anger will be removed and shaky foundations restored. Cracks will be patched and walls repainted.
God can no more leave a needy life unchanged than a mother can leave her child’s dirty face unwashed. It’s not enough for God to have you for His own. He wants to change you and make you better.
Suppose a father buys his little boy an ice cream cone and as he’s giving it to him, notices his mouth is filled with dirt. Father loves him, despite the dirt, but he first washes his child’s mouth, and then gives him the ice cream.
God does the same for us. He loves us no less because of our dirty faces, but first He cleanses us to prepare us for something better. Apostle Paul wrote, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9)
The trials, sickness or struggles we have are God’s way of cleansing us for something better. He loves us all, despite our sins and rebellion, and He wants to change us to be better. So let’s thank God for our struggles. He’s preparing us for something much greater.
God loves us as we are, but He may not leave us that way for long. He wants us to be like Jesus.
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com
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