“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” -Romans 3:22-24
Have you ever walked into your room and thought, “This isn’t too bad! I don’t need to clean up!” But the instant someone you’re trying to impress come into the room, you immediately say, “Sorry for the mess!” The clothes lying on the floor, the old soda cans lining the desk, and the general clutter and chaos had become second nature to you, but now they’re embarrassing. The room hasn’t changed, but because you’re in there now with someone you admire, your eyes are finally opened to reality. What a mess!
This happens in our lives sometimes. We don’t realize how much of a mess our lives are until we are forced to slow down and reflect. Times of change and transition naturally do this work for us. Sometimes these are good transitions: graduation, a new opportunity, being named to the varsity team, or entering into a new relationship. With excitement in our eyes, we look at our life anew, eager to get rid of anything that is weighing us down so we can continue to climb even higher! But other times, the changes in life are not so good: adjusting to life after the death of a loved one, trying to evaluate your future options after a career-ending sports injury, looking at a rejection letter from your college of choice, navigating your parents’ divorce, attempting to recover from a reputation-tarnishing mistake, or enduring a break-up of what you thought was a long-term relationship. In these more negative situations, you may be looking around your life wondering, “What happened? What a mess!” You may not be sure where to go from here, but you’re certain of one thing: you want things to be better.
While positive and negative changes, exciting and daunting opportunities are the result of differing sets of circumstances, they all have at their core an invitation to rebuild. What stays? What goes? What needs to change? What am I looking for in the future? All of these questions are at the heart of any rebuilding process in life. But you cannot make the mistake of attempting this rebuilding project, of navigating this change on your own. As Jesus says in John 15, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
If I can’t attempt a true, healthy rebuilding in my life without God’s Word, His Spirit, or His people, then I’m left with a tough reality. I have to let God in on the mess. I can’t hide it anymore, whether it’s my pride over everything that is going well or my shame and guilt over everything that’s not. Here’s the beautiful news: God already knows about whatever the mess is in your life. He’s not afraid of it, in fact He’s already carried it! Our verse from Romans 3 reminds us that all have sinned, but God reaches into that mess and saves us through the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. God isn’t surprised by anything in your life! He is with you in the mess and in fact, He is greater than the brokenness, questions, secrets, or fears that you have. That’s why He is at the center of any rebuilding season of our lives: Jesus is the cornerstone upon which everything else is built!
Prayer: God, thank you for walking into both the joys and struggles of my life. You come to me with your forgiveness, new life, and salvation and it changes everything. Help me in times of change and transition to always look to you for hope and healing. Rebuilding my life upon your Word! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Journal Prompts:
- What are some times of transition or change that are going on or upcoming in my life?
- Why should God be at the center of that change?
0 Comments