Can you re-purpose this?

Construction projects come in all forms. What is built is really determined by a few things such as how much someone is willing to invest, the place where the constructed item will rest, and what the purpose of the construction holds. We might not all see the constructed thing the same way, as some may look at an old barn and see a venue for weddings, or an old grain silo and see a new home for their family. The thing constructed can be 're-purposed' if it has the right attention and the right hands doing the work! All of us are capable of having 'constructed' many things in this lifetime, but none of what we construct measures up to what God can 're-construct' from our lives when they are firmly placed in his hands.

What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life. (Proverbs 12:12 MSG)

As I have pointed out before, that which is constructed sometimes needs to be deconstructed before it can be reconstructed. The demolition process can go very, very fast compared to the reconstruction process, though. The effort to remove all the things that no longer belong can oftentimes turn up things that we never knew were there. I have watched a couple of series with people doing home remodeling or the demolition of older buildings. The most amazing discoveries can be found buried deep within walls, or under floor-boards hidden away by years and years of 'recovering' the surface time and time again. Sometimes what we have sought to 'cover over' for so long can be the one thing that lends the greatest beauty to the entire 'reconstructed' life!

It is awesome to see old, once hidden hardwood flooring, weathered and worn by the years and years of misuse and 'cover-up' to finally be uncovered and restored. The weathered and worn look only lends character to the dwelling - allowing the true character to show through lends warmth that invites others into the dwelling - it doesn't drive them away. What we sometimes think will repel others can become a thing of great beauty that actually invites others to 'uncover' what has been hidden in their lives, as well. The hidden only masks the true beauty - we might not think it possible for beauty to emerge from what is cleverly masked over, but with the right attention that which has been hidden away can become a glowing reminder of how much God's tender care can restore a damaged life to the most beautiful showcase of his grace.

What matters most when the deconstructing work is occurring is our trust in what God sees as the finished project. He knows what he is doing by uncovering all those hidden places and taking out what no longer belongs in our lives. He knows where the 'root' of our lives will reveal beauty instead of masked flaws. The moment we trust him with the 'reconstruction' of our lives it might become a little uncomfortable to see all those flaws brought out 'front and center' in our lives, but when we see how his tender care begins to do more than 'mask' those flaws, we begin to see that he has done much to 're-purpose' what we thought would serve no further purpose in our lives ever again. Just sayin!