RENOVATIONS NEEDED

REPLACING THE FLOOR

I would like to share a recent experience we had renovating the floors at our Outreach House in preparation for our grand opening....

The vinyl tiles were broken and our first thoughts were to get some matching ones or if not something close to blend with the ones that were there.  After some investigation we realize that just putting new ones would not be enough.  For not only were many of the ones that were good were loose and fragile and would soon be broken, but under the surface was water, muck from the glue and other not so pleasant things.  After analyzing the whole situation we decided to replace the entire floor not just with the same vinyl tiles but with ceramic ones.  

To do that there were some corrective measures to be taken to lay the new tiles and to avoid the re-occurrence of future problems.  The vinyl tiles had to be peeled, floor needed to be scraped to remove the glue and grime, floor also had to be leveled and in some areas needed to be filled and brought up to the level.  

To place the new tiles there were also some decisions to be made.  The choice, design and color, measurements to determine how many and all the other things needed to install them were weighed against the cost and our budget.  The process was messy and tough. Hours were spent peeling, chipping, scraping, cutting and shaping to fit the size, filling and applying pressure were some of the things they had to endure.  What a task that was. However, the peeling, scrapping and other parts of the process were very important and necessary to the renovation so that the new tiles could be properly attached in order to settle.  At last the process was completed and the renovation made it a brand new floor.

What about you?  Have you ever experience a renovation process - personally or spiritually?

TODAY'S FOCUS: RENOVATION BY THE MASTER RENOVATOR

Here's a nugget from the conclusion of Chapter 3 of our journey- For Such A Time As This.....

"Sometimes He decides that the  renovation of our lives, from the inside out,will be so severe that we'll certainly have to move out of our comfort zone.  He may want to deal with our physical bodies.  He may want to motivate us intellectually.  He may have new spiritual lessons for us to learn.  But when the Master Renovator shows up for work, watch out!  God is in the process of making you what He wants you to be-body, mind, and spirit.  He has created you to be a woman of excellence.  You are an adornment to His royal court.  You are becoming a beautiful jewel in His crown-" "for such a time as this"  Priscilla Shirer- A Jewel in His Crown page 64/65)

THE SEVERITY OF A RENOVATION IS DETERMINED BY THE NEED OR DAMAGE

• Are you spiritually in need of renovation?
• Which one is it for you? (need or damage give details)
• What would it entail? (what would you have to throw away, remove, replace etc..)
• Have you ever had a spiritual renovation? (share your story)
• How do you see the finish product/or what was the end result of the renovation?

Whether it is physically, intellectually or spiritually renovation is important for growth, development and or ministry.    

Remember, the "spiritual you" just like your home, car or other material possessions needs to be renovated. It may take some chastening, scraping and peeling from things that are underlining in your spirit.  Like the renovation of the Outreach house above unless you look under the surface, analyze and diagnose you may miss the root cause, and if not taken care of it may cause more harm than good. Endure the process it will work out for your good and God's glory! 

God Bless You and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel