A Brush and Paint

a Sonbeam from warren and mary beth powell

Yesterday afternoon on our way home from Tyler, we noticed a small, older house with part of its shingles removed and some new paint on one side. The house wasn't anything special; it looked just like many others around it.

As I turned my attention back to the highway, a voice inside of me said, "That house is just like each of you. Every person is under construction and remodeling……by God."

The voice continued, "During remodeling, though, you must practice two gifts from the Lord: patience and confidence. In every relationship you have, remember that God is working on those with whom you come in contact. With them, you must always practice Patience. He knows what they need.

"On the other hand, when you worry about doing or saying the wrong thing……or not doing things you know you should be doing……and you think that maybe God is just not around….. He still is. He will never leave you. You must have Confidence that He is actively at work within you….. remodeling."

God is not like some house painter or roofer who goes from job to job. He is the Great Transformer, working on each one of us. Some realize it, some don't care, some have given up, and some want more. His work in each of us here on earth….. never ends.

As a co-laborer with God, our main responsibility is to be available ……to let Him onto our property….into the treasure room of our heart ……so that He can do the needed work where it makes the most difference. Almost anyone can pick up a brush and paint the outside of a house….but only God can remodel any of us…….on the inside.

Into His Word

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" Philippians 1:6 New King James Version

"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6 New International Version