We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ

was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

(Romans 6:4)

One of my favorite TV shows is “Fixer Upper.” A couple in Texas, Chip and Joanna Gaines,

transform damaged, unappealing houses into beautiful, functional homes. While each episode is

only 45 minutes, the updating process takes a long time. First Joanna plans the designs, then

Chip breaks down walls. They always face obstacles along the way, but the finished product is a

masterpiece. In the same way, God is our designer, and He transforms the trajectory of our

lives. 

The hope of the Gospel is that although sin separated us from God, He had a plan of

redemption from the very beginning. The entire Old Testament is the blueprint of the coming

Messiah to reconcile God and His people. God fulfilled his plan through Jesus who suffered for

our sin on the cross but rose again and gave us a new way to live with the Holy Spirit. Praise be

to God that we are no longer dead in our sin but are transformed by the power of Jesus. Just

like updating a home, spiritual transformation takes time. 

First, we need to trust God with our hearts. In Mark 8:34, Jesus said to them, “If anyone

wants to be My follower, he must give up himself and his own desires. He must take up

his cross and follow Me.” Are there walls of pride, greed, lust, or anger keeping you from

following Jesus?

Second, we need to trust God through our obstacles. Jesus said we would experience trials and

failure here on earth, but that’s not the end of the story. James 1:2-4 says, Count it all joy, my

brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your

faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be

perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. God sees your full story, and you are His

masterpiece. 

Finally, we need to trust God with our future. The best part of “Fixer Upper” is the exciting big

reveal of the family’s new home – a home that totally exceeds their expectations. When we trust

God with the designs and details of our life, He will do so much more through us than we could

imagine for His glory. 



As you scan the rooms of your heart, what needs to be demolished, what needs to be rebuilt,

and what needs to be transformed?

By C.A. Carter