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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

He who was seated on the throne said,
“I am making everything new!”
Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

Jesus says He makes us new, but I wonder if I’m in the market for a remodel or a rebuild. Let’s face it, when we consider giving our home a new look, it’s easier to slap on a coat of paint and replace the carpet than tear the walls down and start over. From a building standpoint it doesn’t make sense to rebuild when the structure appears to be just fine.

However, when it comes to the human condition, Jesus says He wants a rebuild. Take it all down and put up something new. What a scary thought!

Becoming new sounds exciting, yet we all have parts we’d like to hold on to. We try to convince Jesus we don’t need a whole new building; adding a wing will be enough. Our electrical system is fine; let’s just change out the cabinets and flooring. But Jesus is a contractor who does all or nothing.

That’s not to say He won’t ever use the old to form the new. Just like churches will sometimes take stained glass windows from century old buildings when they put up something more modern, Jesus might choose to save the most beautiful parts when His Spirit remolds us. Our dilemma arises when we discover we don’t get a say in which parts He remakes and which ones He discards.

Each day, week, month, year, and season offer times to start over. We’re sure we’re going to do it better this time! But how often do we forget to ask the Master Carpenter what His blueprints look like in this time of renewal?

Jesus isn’t looking for the improved you. He doesn’t need the recently remodeled, updated version. Our Savior is waiting for the willing you, the broken, but eager to be rebuilt, humbled you. And as He begins making everything new, you’ll start to know the peace that comes from not doing it alone. Let’s give up the do-it-yourself resolutions so Christ can recreate us and make us into exactly what He originally created us to be.

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