After a thorough assessment, the expert carpenter gave it to us straight. “You have three choices:” he held out his fingers as he talked. “One—you can light a match and burn the whole thing down. Two—you can move out while we do the necessary repairs. Or, three—you can live in it while we do the work, but, if you do, be warned—it’s gonna be messy and it’s gonna take a long time…” I must have had an expression of utter confusion on my face because he seemed to read my thoughts, “I understand on the outside your house looks perfectly fine, but on the inside, the rot and decay we discovered is pervasive and the damage is extensive. In order to save your home, it must be completely restored.”

That was six months ago. And even now as I type this to the beat of a hammer and the hum of saws and drills in the background, I know we are a long way from the finish line. But I can also see, day by day, that something beautiful is happening—a transformation is taking place. The old is being stripped away and something new is forming. Something better. And it occurs to me that this is what Christ is doing to my soul. That this is what Christ does to every human soul that places their hope in Him. He renews and restores. In exchange for our ashes, He gives us a crown of beauty. For our weakness, He gives us strength. When we come to Him in despair, He covers us with a garment of praise. To those who mourn, He comforts with the oil of joy. For the weary and burdened, He offers rest.

He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:3a

Perhaps Jesus chose the profession of Carpenter when He came to earth because He loves to restore things so much. In Revelation 21:5, He exclaims, “Look! I am making everything new.” Jesus knows the condition of our souls. He can see the rot and decay our sin has caused; yet, out of love, He purchases us with His blood and offers to restore us to the fullness and splendor of who we were created to be. The process of restoration may take a long time—maybe even a lifetime. It may be messy and invasive, but in the end if it transforms us into the person we were created to be, and allows us to exist for eternity with the Person we were created to be with, then shouldn’t we invite Jesus the Carpenter to do His glorious work in us?

Now may the God of peace…work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21

Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:3; Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 11:28; Revelation 5:9