The Contractor: My Contractor is the original builder, so He knows exactly how everything is supposed to look. He knows the ins and outs of my house better than I do and most importantly, He is always available. He is always ready and waiting for the opportunity to rebuild what I have destroyed. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve been around this mountain. There is never a shortage of materials or daylight hours, there is never an argument or a scolding of how poorly I have kept this house. The most beautiful thing is God is happy to do it. I am not a chore or list of things to do on list a mile along. I am, my house, is his priority. It doesn’t matter if this is the 12th time this year or the second time today, He is ready. Luke 14:28b says “For who would construct a house before first sitting down to estimate the cost to complete it?”. The comforting thing about my Contractor is that He is never caught off guard. When He created this house, He knew exactly how many times He was going to need to mend it back together. He is not a 3 strikes and you’re done type of God. It truly does not and will never matter what state your house is in, He will always be ready to fix it. When we were created, He knew exactly what the cost of completion would be…Calvary. I am worth Jesus to God, and for that very reason when I call on the Contractor to come restore my house, He’s right there every time.
Restore: To restore is a verb that means to bring back to or put back something to a former or original sate. We are created in the image of God. My house should be a replica of my Father’s house, that is the point of restoration. It’s not about having a house fit for a magazine, it’s about reflecting the character of my Creator. Getting to the place where my house reflects His is a process, a process that takes time. I have been guilty of starting that process and allowing the Contractor to come remodel my house and only allowing Him into the foyer. So terrified that He would find the stuff I stored away in the back bedroom, or perhaps He’ll want to look around in the attic or the basement. To be honest, I don’t even remember what I put away there. That’s a scary thought, vulnerability is scary. So I won’t let him past the foyer… A surface level restoration is not restoration. Having a brand new foyer in a condemned house is pointless. We have to stop allowing God to restore our entry way, but denying him access to our main house. God wants the entry way, kitchen, living room, bedrooms, attics, and basements. My point is the process of restoration can be daunting and it can seem impossible. But my friend, it is a beautiful thing to be defenseless with the Almighty God. When He comes in, He brings brand new materials. The Word says His Mercy is new everyday and joy comes in the morning. He doesn’t fix your broken windows with with tape and a trash bag, He replaces it with stain-glass windows. He brings in brand new artwork, He doesn’t throw things in boxes to store them away, He sits with you and helps you clean away the clutter. He sits with you, in your brokenness, and helps you get back to your original design and purpose. My dear friend, He sits with you.
Restorative Mercy 