_______________________________________

Are you a Chip and Joanna fan? I’ll have to admit to being a “Fixer Upper” fan. It’s impressive what they can do in transforming tired, grimy, dilapidated old houses into beautiful, inspiring, ship-lapped wonders of the world (or neighborhood). All for about $20,000, or so it seems. Oh, to live in Waco! Beyond the remarkable houses they transform, we are drawn to these shows because they touch something deep within us. Chip and Joanna Gaines use their gifts and abilities to envision, design, create, and restore old and broken things into renewed and beautiful ones. All in one hour!

The Fall of Man left a lot of brokenness in our relationship with God, ourselves, others, and all of creation. The grand narrative of Scripture is God’s rescue plan to restore these relationships to their original condition, back to Him! But He has chosen not to do it alone. He invites us on the journey of restoration…to channel our inner Chip and Joanna and become Fixer Uppers for God’s Kingdom.

Pastor John Mark Comer described it well:

“We’re called to a very specific kind of work. To make a Garden-like world where image bearers can flourish and thrive, where people can experience and enjoy God’s generous love. A kingdom where God’s will is done “on earth as it is in heaven,” where the glass wall between earth and heaven is so thin and clear and translucent that you don’t even remember it’s there. That’s the kind of world we’re called to make. After all, we’re just supposed to continue what God started in the beginning.”

Reflection: Do you see yourself in this renovation project? Where has God called you to help restore the broken things of the world and bring all things back into a relationship with Him?

______________________________________