Ways To Give

In the Midst of the Mess

Written by Marilyn Ehle

Is your life a mess right now? Are you discouraged? Would you like someone to pray for you?

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness… For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:3 and 5).

A popular television program in the United States centers around a family being awarded a new house. The choice of the family for this coveted prize is often determined by their sacrificial contribution to the needs of others while foregoing personal comfort, or perhaps because a debilitating physical handicap of one of its members has caused extreme hardship.

After the joy of selection and hearing of their coming good fortune, the family is whisked away for a much deserved holiday at a resort or similar vacation spot. They are told that upon their return, a new and wonderful home will be ready.

If you have survived a house renovation, you most likely did not go away on vacation during the process. You lived in the midst of the mess. Plastic sheeting was hung to prevent the spread of plaster dust, but amazing amounts of the white film still landed on floors and tabletops. A kitchen re-make often finds us cooking meals on the gas or charcoal grill and washing dishes in the bathtub because promised appliances have not been delivered on schedule.

God is in the business of life renovation. Although our position with Him is complete because of the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, He continues the re-making process on a daily basis. Often we—and those observing us—would describe the process as messy. But the God who first created order out of chaos in the formation of our world has the same goal in mind for us.

Lord, I admit to preferring ultimate order without the mess. Help me be patient as you work your good work in my life.

Questions: What part of the “renovation process” has been going on in your life recently? What progress have you seen?

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Fellowship: Formed for God’s Family, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

4 Responses to “In the Midst of the Mess”

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• kanj says:

  February 16, 2009 at 2:35 pm

  thank you Marilyn for the devotional. it didn’t take me too long to think of what part of the ”renovation process” is taking place in my spiritual growth–impatience has made a slight break through. i am by no means patient one hundred per cent but if i were to give percentage a number on a given day now, i would say that it’s around 50%(sometimes less but not any more than that. a year ago, i had 0 to 10% patience(with my husband as he happened to be the sounding board, in the line of fire if you will). today I think he see’s a tremendous change and as the relationship continues we are finding we actually are closer now in our marriage than 21 years ago(in April/09). now he(my husband) truly has been patient with me all these years and for this I am truly grateful. it’s taken me many years but I finally have begun to accept myself and in me I have a patient friend waiting, Praise be to God
• sharon says:

  February 15, 2009 at 12:31 pm

  thank you
• Jaclyn says:

  February 15, 2009 at 6:38 am

  I pray to God that s person contacts me to offer me a new home, to which I can move and begin a new life. I live with M.S. and can’t walk very well now. I can help cook in a home, for other people who also need a new place to live. Someone there can contact me, and I’ll give them my address and phone, In God, I pray and am thankful for a new chance to live anew. Thank you.
• Judy R says:

  February 15, 2009 at 6:31 am

  Thank you so much, Marilyn for these wonderful words from the Lord. It lifted my heart this morning. My husband and I have been working with children and young people for 49 years and our bodies are wearing a little. We have so enjoyed seeing so many children take in the gospel message and come to the Lord. They all seem like our children. It is difficult to pass the schools and not go in and share Jesus with the children. The LORD has been leading us into a new ministry of praying for people and our church and our country. We help teach in our men’s and women’s Bible studies. They seem to enjoy being taught like little children. Our change has been brought through a lot of renovation of our bodies but thinking of it as getting prepared for a better home helps us endure any pain involved. Yours in Christ, Judy

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