“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
I was browsing the design center for the perfect rug when I noticed a signup sheet for a painting class lying on a table. This store has beautiful furniture, carpets, anything you need for your home, and a furniture painting studio. They specialize in giving unwanted furniture new life. I find furniture transformations fascinating, but I have never painted a piece of furniture. I decided it would be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, meeting new people and learning about my fascination. I wrote my name in the last available slot.
The class required that I bring a piece of furniture from home. In our recent move, I have downsized our furniture collection considerably. But I had a small plant stand pegged for the Salvation Army that would be a perfect practice piece. It was severely scratched, the wrong color for my current décor, and held no emotional attachment. I couldn’t even remember when or where I bought it. Before Jesus enters our lives, we can feel the same. Unwanted, severely damaged, unworthy of transformation, and disposable. “He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). We bring nothing to the table for our salvation and redemption. Jesus did it all on the cross. An unsaved person riddled with scratches and dents is no different in the eyes of our Lord than the unsaved one who considers themselves perfect. All need transformation.
The first coat of paint barely covered the deep brown color and scratches. The old personality was showing through the new paint. It reminded me that our faith walk is a journey of sanctification. Jesus’s death on the cross entirely and wholly justifies us. But our old personality can resurface unless continually covered with the Word, submission, and prayer. If our times with the Lord are few and far between, just like the thin coat of paint, our flawed self can outshine the Jesus in us. It was difficult to completely cover the furniture’s flaws with the roller and brushes I used. I was getting frustrated and discouraged. Then the instructor showed me a different brush. She demonstrated the mop brush, saying, “It’s like spreading butter, smooth and soothing.” With the new brush, the paint glided on and covered the piece completely. How often do we use the wrong tools in life? We rely on our own wisdom and judgment, listen to wrong sources, and fill our time with fruitless tasks. All of which leads to frustration and discouragement. But it’s like butter when we seek sanctification through His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to cover us and guide our lives. Even if the days are not smooth, we have the soothing knowledge and hope of Jesus’s saving grace. Using the right tools is transformational in any of life’s situations. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.