Do you compare the lives of women around you to yours and wonder where you went wrong?
Their homes belong on the cover of Home and Garden; they appear perfectly put together, energetic and organized, and the family seems happy, wholesome, and successful. They are like King Midas and everything they touch seems to turn to gold.
Why hasn’t God blessed you? Does he love them more? Is he disappointed or angry with you?
Your life feels like the broken-down, abandoned houses you have seen. Their roof tiles are curled and brittle, the paint is peeling and faded, vines snake up walls, and tall grasses grow wild. Indoor floorboards creak, fluttering cobwebs cling to corners, grime-encrusted windows block light from getting in, and the smell of dust, mold, and rot pervades every room. An aura of loneliness, hopelessness and rejection hovers over it.
Do you feel like you and your life need a major restoration?
When a house is restored, depending on its age and damage, it gets stripped back to the frame of two-by-four studs. Restorers check for mold and rot, weakened timber in the walls, roof, or floorboards. Once sure the house is structurally sound, they begin bringing newness and freshness to the inside and outside surfaces. The process is slow to prevent further damage to the house in removing the old.
Christ came to restore what was lost in Eden, to return us to our original intended beauty and purpose. But it takes time and it will be uncomfortable, even painful at times.
In Matthew 23, we read how Jesus likened the Pharisees and Scribes—lawyers—to whitewashed tombs which look nice and clean outside, but are full of rot and bones on the inside. As followers of our Shepherd, we don’t simply want to slap a thin coat of paint on our outsides. We invite the Holy Spirit to show us where we have lost our way, what we are coveting, how we are striving after self-glory and for help in restoring our souls. How does the Lord do this?
First, we need to acknowledge our sin. We have chosen to believe the lie of the serpent in Eden, that God is holding out on us and not for us. We doubt his love and goodness and think it’s up to us to figure this crazy life out on our own. This is a sin against God’s character.
Second, we confess our sin. Envy of others is a desire for my own glorification and for my life to go my way all the time. This is a sin against God’s rightful place on the throne. He is the Creator, God Almighty and Sovereign over ALL the earth. That includes you and me.
Third, we get quiet before our loving Father and ask for his help. We read his Word and follow the example he gave us, his son Jesus Christ.
Covetousness is such a deep-rooted sin and so insidious that we have to constantly check our thoughts, attitudes and words for it. We examine our hearts and ask ourselves if we trust the Lord. If the answer is no, or we hesitate, we bring this before the Lord and ask for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith.
For the Lord to restore us, He has to rid us of the underlying rot, the sin, in our hearts and minds. Many times, the sin of envy is so deeply rooted, we don’t even know it is there or recognize it as sin. Seeing envy in other people’s lives is simpler than seeing it in our own. It is a painful process. Dying to self feels like part of you is dying. Our Restorer has to rip out the deep desires of our envious hearts, while we fight, with clenched fists, to not let it go. We want what we want. But the LORD is gentle and merciful, and leads us slowly along the path to freedom.
Friends, we are each made in the image of God. Our father is not limited in his love or desire to grow us and nurture us into the beautiful creations he created us to be. One day we will see ourselves and each other as he does—perfectly restored reflections of his glory—fully known, fully loved and fully wanted.
Be well!
Patricia