Don’t you just love the show Extreme Home Makeover? I’m fascinated by the way they demolish an old house and rebuild a new one in just seven days.
Last summer, I drove out to a small town in Colorado to see the “before” house. And again a few days later to see the “after” house. It was a transformation to say the least.
Can you imagine watching the makeover process if it were your house that was being shredded? I think it’s good they send the family away. As much as you might want to watch the newer, bigger and better home being constructed, it would be hard to watch your home crumble. I imagine there would be a sense of loss over it. After all, a home is where memories are made. It’s hard to say goodbye to something even if it’s not very functional anymore.
I’m there.
My home is not functional or livable anymore. I’m standing on a pile of rubble. I’ve been hammering away at the house I’ve been living in for years now. It’s finally down. I see ruins all around me. Nothing is worth savaging except the foundation. It’s not the home God wants for me. It wasn’t built on truth. It was built on lies. I even helped build it in order to keep the bad guys out. They came in anyway.
Sometimes I get down on my knees and dig through the piles and ask God, “Can I keep this? I really like this.” God gently reminds me, “You don’t need that. That has no place in your new home. ” He explains it’s an idol or lie from my past. He reassures me my new home will have everything I need.
He’s right.
So today even though I’m spiritually homeless, I’m anxious for my new home. I can picture it. It’s beautiful. And it’s extreme. But it won’t be a seven day turnaround like the TV show, but it’ll be worth waiting for.
It will be built by me and God. One truth brick at a time.
Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
I do LOVE watching Extreme Home Makeover – it is one of the few “reality” shows that I actually enjoy…hee hee!
The show always makes me cry – as I see families get a BRANDNEW start….so God’s heart!!
I loved your analogy what the “show” does to what happens in most of our own lives!! Great post!!
Wish I would have grabbed onto these “concepts” when I was in my early 20’s – took me until my 30’s to really start to “get” just what you said about wanting to HANG ONTO the OLD and being afraid to re-build.
Once again thanks!
The show is incredible, and, as both you and Kimber said: a picture of what God does in our lives.
Paula (gracereign.blogspot.com) always talks about how God wants to get rid of our boxes–the way we think our lives should be.
Isn’t it great, though, that when He destroys the old stuff, He always gives us something so much better?
I’m at a time in my life when I truly need to hang onto that!