“Do you have the guts to take on a fixer-upper?” Joanna Gaines (no relation) asks this question in the introduction to the HGTV show, Fixer-Upper, that she co-hosted with her husband Chip.  I may or may not be a little obsessed with HGTV home makeover shows.  Y’all pray for me.   

One thing I have learned from my HGTV fetish is that no matter how bad a house looks on the outside, or even on the inside, it is rarely un-salvageable.  If the foundation is still good and it’s structurally sound, you can fix up the house by stripping it down to the studs and making it into what you would like it to be.   

When an old home needs a lot of work but still has a solid foundation, it’s often referred to as having good bones. Most contractors are undaunted by whatever current shape the home is in because they can easily look past that and see what it has the potential to become.  

Considered this “fixer-upper” concept in light of 1Samuel 16:7b …for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Just as a contractor sees past broken windows, damaged walls and cracked foundations to the real potential of a home, Jesus sees past our crushed spirits, dashed hopes and deteriorated dreams to the wonderful temple that we were created to be. 

In one episode of Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna call one of their projects the “Three Little Pigs” house because it was in such bad shape that it looked like a strong wind would just blow it over.  Have you ever been there?  Teetering on the verge of collapse?  Afraid that one more demanding phone call, one more hurtful, thoughtless word or one more rejection just might send you toppling over.  Most of us have.  You may even be there now.  

Know this.  You are not alone.  Stop living in fear of what will happen if you start over from scratch. Again.   Remind yourself that you don’t really have to start from scratch.   Matthew 25:24 –27 reminds us to build our homes upon the solid rock of Jesus.  So that when (not if) the storms come and life’s winds and rains leave you in a damaged or dilapidated state, you will still be able to stand.   

Chip Gaines always followed up Joanna’s question by saying they take the worst house in the best neighborhood and make it into their client’s dream house.  But I would be remiss if I didn’t throw in a word of caution here.  Dream houses don’t magically appear out of the rubble left of an old one. It takes weeks, sometimes even months of challenging work by the contractors, carpenters, structural engineers, decorators, and owners.  There is a high price to pay to restore a home to its former grandeur and add new life and character.  Here’s more good news.  Jesus has already paid that price and the only work required of you in this restoration is to trust and believe in His ability to save and keep you.  It’s not too late. 

What shape is your natural and/or spiritual foundation of your “house” in today?  What is it leaning on?  What are you holding onto that is damaging your relationship with God?  Are you still digging through the ashes of an empty burned out shell, holding onto broken promises from untrustworthy people when God is prompting you to give him those fragments and allow him to make something beautiful? 

And one final question.  Do you have the guts to be a fixer upper? I encourage you to let Jesus fix it for you and let today be the first day of residence in your “new home”. Tear down the walls of protection you have built around your heart and open it up to him.  Strip away old doubts and fears and replace them with faith and hope.   

When people look in the windows of your soul, it won’t matter if the physical location of your natural home is in the worst neighborhood or the most desirable part of town, because all they will see is that you “cleaned up good”, and you were “fixed up” with the love of Jesus.   

Be Blessed, Friends, 

Shelia