the gospel and home renovation – but, of course!

It’s exciting to set up a new home but it is also potentially a time of great stress.

The thing that bothers me the most is how should I make good use of the money we have? Am I wrong to want a brand new kitchen? Am I running after the things of this world if I decide to get new flooring? Why can’t I live with that ugly tiled wall in the living room? Am I being a good steward of God’s money?

You may say, “Hey those are good concerns, aren’t they?” but aha! my error is more subtle than most.

I go to God in prayer and supplication and I wonder why I don’t get peace; I ask for God’s wisdom and help and I still stress over making the wrong decisions; I eagerly desire to seek God’s kingdom first and I’m worried that it’s just not enough.

I didn’t even notice that there was something very very wrong with this picture for a long time! It isn’t just the renovations; there were already signs of it at other times. Usually it involves a great deal of money and a lot of suspicion about myself. Or so I thought; actually I was suspecting GOD himself.

I suspect that God wouldn’t really help me, that he isn’t really a gracious and loving Father, someone who listens to his children, helps them, and disciplines yet forgives them — in short, I suspect that the Gospel isn’t really true.

Did Jesus die for my sin? Does God entirely forgive me? Is Jesus’ death enough to pay my debt? Does God promise to be my Father? Is Jesus really alive and reigning? Did God give me the Holy Spirit?

And the answer  to all of them (when I reminded myself) is a big resounding YES!

My place in his kingdom is not dependent on my decision-making prowess. There is no reason for me to live in fear and doubt at all when God is on my side! This just shows that we can never repeat the gospel and its promises to ourselves too much.

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