Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Yellow (11/12/09)
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TITLE: Extreme Makeover: Soul Edition | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Keck
11/16/09 -
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The family’s house has burned down due to old wiring. There are tears on both sides of the TV screen. Ty and his crew dry their tears and get off the bus. Out comes the megaphone, a tool of Ty’s that brings good news at the beginning of the week and drives workers crazy by the end. The family is so happy to see them, not only because of who they are but what the family anticipates they will do.
What has all this got to do with our soul? Come with me if you will to the town of Corinth as the Apostle Paul’s 2nd letter is read to a gathering of believers. Let us pick it up in the 17th verse of the 5th chapter. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) A dear friend had mentioned this verse saying we haven’t been remodeled; we’d been totally remade. We agreed that it’s like an extreme makeover.
But do we really believe that? Do we seek God’s transforming power in our life? When the Executive Producer of our life sends His Spirit to do some work do we welcome Him openly and expectantly? Like the families featured on the show do we show the team around pointing out what needs repair all the while thanking them for coming? Do we climb in the limo and leave on vacation? Or do we stick around to help?
I suspect that sometimes we take on one of the roles on Ty’s team, designer, carpenter, landscape artist. They each have their own jobs to do and work well together. They know the hour is late and there’s work to be done.
But we are not on Ty’s team. We are to be the family members off on vacation, leaving the work to the team. Sometimes Ty will call with the notion that he’s keeping them informed but usually is so vague that he confuses them. So in reality the family doesn’t know what to expect and is totally shocked at the reveal.
Towards the end of Extreme Makeover-Home Edition the family is brought home but the bus is blocking their view of the home. Then the chant from the family and live audience goes out: “Move that bus, move that
bus …” The bus is moved and it’s pure elation. There have been tears and shouts and teenage girls shrieking at a pitch that I think only a dog can hear. This time the home owner simply said, “It’s bright like my future.” The camera zoomed out to reveal a white house with yellow trim and a yellow front door.
Oh, what joy if only we could come before our God and say, “Soul Dweller move the obstacles of this life so I may glory in the work of Your Hands.” What if we would meet Him expectantly every morning and then leaving Him and His Team, the Trinity, alone to work walking in confidence that He will supply all our needs? He desires to spend time with us, embracing us and accepting our thanks. He longs to give us the key to our new home—His gift to us. And one more thing: He wants us to notice the plaque by the door. It’s engraved with a prayer by a little known guy named Jabez. “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV)
What if we really prayed that prayer? What if we really expected God to work? What if we really embraced the work done at Calvary?
Now that would be living.
Extreme living.
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