I love before and after pictures. Doesn’t everyone? Whether it is a DIY project, a fat to fit photo, or a fabulous fashion makeover. Seeing something or someone go from drab to fab inspires and informs us. I want to do this! I can do this!

The picture above shows some of my projects as I prepare to move to the beach. We have some beach decor already, but many of our pieces of furniture would not fit the new style we were wanting. Ideally I would buy all new. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? If only money did grow on trees, right? Honestly though, I have some nice pieces I like, and some used furniture I bought for projects. Some pieces needed stripping, sanding, filling, and refinishing, where others just needed a new coat of paint.

I think about how God would approach me as his project, as he gets me ready for my move to his home. My current design falls short of the style he has in mind. He doesn’t want to trash me, sell me, donate me, or give me away. He kinda likes me and wants to keep me. After all, he picked me out to occupy this current home. Let’s look at this scripture:

Because of all that God has done, we now have a new perspective. We used to show regard for people based on worldly standards and interests. No longer. We used to think of the Anointed the same way. No longer. Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun! All of this is a gift from our Creator God, who has pursued us and brought us into a restored and healthy relationship with Him through the Anointed. And He has given us the same mission, the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others back to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (VOICE)

Here, Paul is saying something like, “You know how we used to look at things? Judging someone’s value by their appearance or their status? Well, God doesn’t see people that way. He sees the person he is creating, shiny and new.”

A couple of words stand out to me, restored and healthy, and bring back. It reminds me of the saying — one mans trash is another man’s treasure. We may look at someone, (even ourselves,) and think they (we) are too damaged, but our Creator God says, “I’ll bring them back to my place, (their healthy relationship with me,) and restore them. I will not just make them like-new, they will be my new creation, exactly the way I intended.”

We, like furniture, can be broken, abused, tired, worn, dirty, forgotten, out-dated, or undesirable. None of those conditions make God think twice about our value or even our usefulness. God is in the restoration business. In truth, nothing (and no one) is impossible for him to restore. The work of his hand is stunning and magnificent, worthy of all praise.

To God be the glory! Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing this old piece of furniture.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy