...Another (Wo)man's treasure....

Dad deemed her a 50-footer. From 50 feet, she looks great; however, the closer you get to the Golden Falcon, the more her age shows. Rusty wheels, bent sheet metal, missing lights, a careless paint job. The previous owner even mentioned his consideration of scrapping her. Yes, she's endured some abuse in her 42 years and when you step inside this only becomes more obvious. I suppose that whenever we went to look at her for the first time, my imagination blinded me to all of these flaws. Despite Dad's more realistic observations and comments, I only saw the wonderful windows (on which I can't wait to add some shutters!), the large bathroom, the original detailed switch plates and hardware, the daisy curtain rods, the nice double sink, what color I would paint the walls and where I would place a bookshelf. Now that she's home, the flaws have become undeniable and they must be faced, but that's ok, because still all I see is the home she will one day be. 

As I'm writing this, I can't help but to steep in the truth of the Gospel - the redemption and renewal we have received through the Resurrection of Christ. From a distance I might not seem so shabby, but the closer you get, the more undeniable my sin becomes. And like the hearts and minds of  those pharisees that Jesus rightly compared to as "white-washed tombs," my heart and my mind are equally condemnable (Matt. 23:27-28). Yet, miraculously, they are not condemned, but cleansed because Jesus, holy and righteous, chose to suffer and die on our behalf. But not only did he die for us, carrying away our sin, He rose, rolling away the stone of the tomb - conquering death, giving us life, hope, and a future of rejoicing in Him forevermore. It is because of this irrevocable love that the Father does not see us as stained sinners, but instead He forgives our sins and sees us as His children (Galatians 3:26) - holy, pure, and righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). The work is done, the debt is paid, the case is over - He calls us His own, and we are His, forever (Romans 8:38-39). 

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17