I experienced the adventure of building a log home several years ago. You need straight logs from dead dry trees, a sledgehammer, and long spikes, along with a utensil for peeling the bark off logs. But, before the implementation of these tools, you must lay a proper foundation. The whole integrity of any building is dependent upon the strength of its foundation.

When renovating and restoring an existing house, you inspect what needs repairing before the work begins. If a house is in poor condition, it’s stripped to the studs before a new and elegant home can emerge.

When the Holy Spirit sees you as a temple where He desires to dwell, He tests the make-up of your existing self. A little remodeling corrects minor problems but more extensive renovations are needed for others.

Our human nature resists the prospect of change. It pushes you out of your comfort zone; you fear the loss of control, or it’s not to your liking. Even if you recognize you’re lost and are searching for answers, the fear of the unknown makes you nail “No Trespassing!” signs on your front door.

Anyone with an addiction knows the alcoholic can’t tend bar and keep sober. The drug addict can’t hang with users and stay clean. Change may be painful at the start, separation always hurts, but God sees the hidden weaknesses that threaten the integrity of your being and summons His crew for a remodel.

Jesus then takes the broken pieces and builds a glorious new you.

Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Ezekiel 11:19
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh”

Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”