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It's all the rage now, isn't it! There are extreme makeovers for guys and gals; before and after reality television shows that show amazing feats. The shows usually depict a person that is in need of much improvement, such as a severe case of acne, crooked teeth, bad complexion, bad hair or some other malady. It takes a crew of people to "fix" whatever is wrong and voila, the "after" is hardly recognizable by family and friends. The person is "made over" to look like a movie star.
Now there is even an "extreme makeover" for houses. Perhaps you've seen this show as well. What happens is a family is selected, usually because of some need. The most recent one that I saw was a family of eight children who had recently lost both mother and father to heart attacks. They were sent off to Disneyland while the crew remodeled the house. The interesting thing is that before anything could be remodeled, a demolition crew came in to tear down several of the walls and interior structure. Then, another crew came in to remake and remodel. The end result proved to be a completely new house. The old house was unrecognizable. The owners returned completely amazed by the "extreme makeover" of their old home.
There is an "extreme makeover" that all of us need. It is of a spiritual nature. All of us are sinners in need of repair, spiritually. The apostle Paul teaches, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," -Romans 3:23. He goes on to say, by faith in Christ, "We are baptized into Christ Jesus" and "into his death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."-Romans 6:3-4. In another place the apostle calls this a renewal, a spiritual "extreme makeover" if you will. He writes, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"-2 Corinthians 5:17.
Have you had your spiritual "extreme makeover?" Paul says we all need one. Besides, the end result is hardly recognizable. Lives are changed forever. Broken hearts and broken lives are mended…made new again by the grace of God. It's a beautiful thing to see.
Tom Nuckels |