That’s reno, as in renovation. My wife and I were talking & laughing last night as we watched one of our favorite home-fixer shows. We know some things are real & some are rehearsed, otherwise, they wouldn’t make sense. We base ourselves on the following: “Ok, so out here, we’re going to remove the stone, replace that with something else, I don’t know what yet, but it’ll all look beautiful once it’s done. We’ll give you all new windows, shift the door, paint the exterior, put up a new roof, and do the landscape. Shall we go inside? “Great entry” shares the host. Moving into the kitchen, “What do you like, don’t like?” “What would you like to see? “OK, I can see all new cabinetry, we’ll give you a massive island- the largest we’ve ever done (contractor’s eyes open wide & knees tremble a bit), all new consistent flooring throughout, remove these three walls, vault the ceiling, create a window bench with plenty of storage, and get you a new dining table. Shall we look at the primary? Here, we only need new paint, demolish the awkward bathroom, give you all brand-new fixtures, a double vanity, & a walk-in shower with jet sprays, rain forest shower head with massaging technology, new tiles, built-in Bluetooth for an ultimate experience, and, that’s it. What else? Outside, brand new covered composite deck, new grill, a chicken house, lounging, and remove some of those trees. That about wraps it up!
Now, (the previously rehearsed part) how much do you have for this project? You’re thinking, “Dang, they gotta have at least $280-350k for that. If they say, “$295K,” which is a good amount, we know it was rehearsed.
But what if they say, “Well, after much consideration… we can afford…no more than $75K…” There’s no way that could be pulled off. So, after all that talking and all those plans, had they not known the budget, the host would probably say, “In that case, scrap everything we’ve said, and let’s just focus on the kitchen; “Contractor, whaddaya think?” Nodding his head and with a sly smile he says, “Yeah, I think that’s about right.” With that, they’re off, and set to begin work tomorrow. The budget’s taken into consideration and within a few months the reno’s completed. Somethings in life are rehearsed, others, aren’t.
You and I may not appear on a show. We may not have sufficient funds for a massive project undertaking. However, we do need renos; we need to be renovated from the inside. When the ONE who said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26), was He talking to Himself, or to the Godhead? He/They, had you in mind from before the start.
God renews us from within-removing sin, spiritual death, and changing our ways of thinking, etc. You can be a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); for real! God’s ready to start. In fact, He’s got every room figured and all the parts are in, especially, a new heart. He’s already begun and is waiting on you to give the “Go ahead” signal.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:16).
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Get ready for that reno!
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
God Bless,
Sam