God’s Grand Designs for You

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 

Home improvement is a popular hobby, with entire streaming networks based on shows like Fixer Upper or Dream Home Makeover. 

If only a professional builder, decorator, and crew that works for free would head over to my house or apartment, you may have dreamed once. At some point, everything in life needs a “make-over,” including our own lives.   

“Imagine yourself as a living house,” wrote C.S. Lewis.  “God comes in to rebuild that house.”1  That would be great, right?  Yes, at first, Lewis agreed.  We welcome God’s work in our lives when He’s fixing things that we know to be broken—messed up plumbing and a leaky roof. 

“But presently,” Lewis wrote, “He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense.”2 And this, is the critical point.  What is God doing?   

“The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”3 

When we say yes to following Jesus, we invite Him in, but not as a guest.  Your life becomes His home. Sometimes following Jesus looks like a very messy remodel.  But God finishes what He starts.  First Thessalonians 5:24 promises, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 

Resource reading: Psalm 51:10-12