A HOUSE IN PROGRESS

Across the street from us sits a house that is someone’s remodeling project. Our neighbor bought it a few years ago 

with the intention of fixing it up while living in it.  

I imagine that someday it will be his “Dream House.” 

For now though, it is anything but a dream! The whole neighborhood gasped when he gutted the interior completely.

He’s done this because he wants to re-make the house 

exactly the way he envisions his dream home.

The original house was only a simple brick ranch, 

but I imagine what he has in mind for the new house 

must be amazing. The only thing is, he is the only person in the neighborhood who can see this glorious vision. 

For now, all we can see is a gutted old house. 

A house that he is working on ever so slowly, I might add. 

We are all wondering when he will ever get finished.

The things he has added to the house are lovely though. 

A designer window here, a beautiful French door there. Lately 

he has enclosed the carport to create an entire new room. 

I must admit, it is finally beginning to take shape.

I am beginning to see a parallel between that house, myself and the God who lives inside me working on making me the dream he envisions for me. I am God’s temple. Sometimes I feel a bit gutted like that house across the street, yet the Lord is living inside me like my neighbor lives inside the house he’s remodeling.

 My Savior is remodeling me from the inside out as He sanctifies me by washing me in the water of His holy word. Christ helps me to read and obey His word, to understand and apply it as His Holy Spirit teaches me through prayer and meditation, life experiences, nature, and through other people.

 Every day is a new opportunity to walk with the One who is  molding me to become a cathedral of praise to the Almighty Savior who died for my sins and rose again from the dead, who ever lives to pray and intercede on behalf of all who love and worship Him.

Only Christ can see the wonderful cathedral He envisions that I will become someday. I just see the raw material He is working with; the person who is not perfect, who loves God very much but who fails Him so often. The person who must come running back to her Savior time and again to ask for mercy and forgiveness.

But I know God is working on me, building me up, bit by bit, frame by frame, from the inside out.  

It only seems like He is taking forever to make the necessary changes in my life that need to take place for me to become like Christ.

God’s word promises that “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9

God never tires of working on me for He envisions a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)  His measureless love never quits:

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8

It may seem like the job will never get finished and I will always remain in a state of disrepair. “…keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!-will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does.” (1 Peter 5:9-11 The Message Bible)

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Master Builder. 

Help us not grow weary and impatient while you transform us into the amazing cathedrals of praise for your glory and honor that you created us to be. Thank You for the awesome wonder of Your Holy Spirit living within us! May we know You will never leave or forsake us. In Jesus’ name.

A House In Progress © 2012 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Unto The Least Of These