Your Interior Renovation Plan: No Shiplap or Property Brothers Required

In a world of chaos, home renovation shows rule.

My wife loves them. But to me, they're a bit like staring at well-dressed mannequins. I know they're fake, but it's hard not to admire the expensive clothes on them.

There's an allure to watching a home transform from asbestus trap to shiplap king. And oh–I love the tear-down process! Watching someone ram a sledgehammer through an old wall is oddly satisfying–even better when they hit a load-bearing brick wall. 😂

Deep down, I think we project our desire for change onto these shows. The Property Brothers act as our vessels for experiencing the American Dream, letting us feel the glee of renovation episode after episode.

But, I've always wondered...Are the Property Brothers active participants in these renovations? Like, do they actually tear down multiple walls, replace flooring, and run conduit?

My instincts say probably not (please correct me if I'm wrong!).

The Spark of Transformation

God, though, is not a background character to your interior renovation plan. He's the very spark of your transformation. The sole reason you experience sanctification...

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)

Right before this verse, Paul lists a series of iniquities, qualities which mark those who will not inherit life. But then he turns to the Colossians and reminds them they "have put on the new self."

It's the renovation of a whole person.

This image connects to the return of Jesus and your promised resurrection through Him...

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:52-54 (NIV)

Hmm...there's that imagery of being clothed again.

So like the renovation of the house, God's interior transformation plan for you...

• Begins at repentance and salvation
• Is planted by the Holy Spirit
• Is being "renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator"
• Is being sustained by God
• And will find its fullness at Christ's return when "the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable"

Now, contractors may work down to the studs. They may take their time to scrape away black mold, replace beams, and level the floor. But, they don't resort to demolition.

In the end, it's beautiful. Any good contractor knows doing it right the first time will result in a more sound and sellable home.

"His plan for your interior renovation is to restore you to the image of your Creator."

Now expand this metaphor to Jesus, the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-3). His plan for your interior renovation is to restore you to the image of your Creator.

He has no plan to gussy you up and then flip you on the market. He wants to show you off as His "workmanship," a treasure created to please Him with your life.

We often worry about "finding" God's will for our lives. But to be totally candid with you, we often give Christianity the HGTV makeover. We like the ornamentation. We like the complicated and luxurious makeovers.

But Jesus's plan for you is simple: To renovate you into His image.

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