Divine Renovation

Bridget Joos
Jan 9
4 min read

When I started the Life Support Group back in September, I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going to go. What I did know was this: if I was going to step into something like this, I wanted to do it right. I wanted it to be authentic and genuine. I didn’t want to settle for what was easy or comfortable. My hope was that when we left our time together, we would each experience a foundational renovation—one that would last into eternity.

That conviction brings me back to Matthew 7:24–27, where Jesus says:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The house was old. It had been occupied by the same family for generations and sat within a designated historical district in the city. The family was ready to renovate, armed with a $250,000 budget. If you happen to be a watcher of HGTV, you know this is exactly where the story begins.

The renovators arrive, assess the situation, listen to the owners’ dreams, and offer hopeful plans. The owners are sent away for the “hour” (quotes added for effect—reality, of course, is weeks or months). Dramatic changes are made, and by the end of the episode, the owners return to a beautiful new space. Everyone rides off into the sunset—cue my imagined hero ending and mic drop.

The episode I watched recently added a bit more drama. It was a new season, and I imagine the goal was to get us all leaning in with anticipation. I live with a marketing and communications person, so I’m learning how storytelling is crafted to capture attention. This particular house had far more wear and tear than the budget allowed. Because it was located in a historic district, the family also had to plead their case before a board determined to preserve history with minimal change. Cost-efficient, sustainable materials would be difficult to approve.

But the story prevailed. The family and renovators received both approval and additional funding.

As the renovation truly began, even more problems surfaced beneath what had already been assessed. Despite inspections and visible warning signs, hidden issues emerged, bringing discouraging news and requiring use of the contingency fund. At this point, my practical brain thought, It would be so much easier and cheaper to tear this down and start over. But that wouldn’t make for much of a hero story, would it?

Instead, the family and renovators persevered, focused on honoring the home’s history while giving it what it needed to last for generations. Whenever frustration arose, the renovators returned to a simple conviction: If we are going to do this, we will not settle. We need to do it right. Ultimately, everything came back to one thing—ensuring the house had a solid foundation.

I apologize for the long context, but I wanted to give you a clear picture of what I believe it looks like when God does a major renovation in us.

After all, there is history. God created us to be His people, for His purpose, and for His glory. Yet because we are human, structural and foundational damage happens—especially when we begin living as the world dictates. When divine renovation takes place, the budget will be blown, the timeline will be lifelong, and the process will not be comfortable. But the goal is worth every penny, every minute, and every uncomfortable moment. Eternity is worth it.

God will not settle. Our renovated hearts need a foundation that will last a lifetime. That is why Jesus’ words in Matthew 7—about the wise man building his house on the rock—are so significant in the renovation process. God desires His creation to stand firm when the storms of life come. Building on sand may seem easier, faster, and less costly, but when the rain falls and the winds blow, it will not hold.

God’s foundation will never be shaken. Storms may try to take us out, but when all is said and done, we will still be standing.

So when we began this journey back in September, we committed to understanding and doing our part in allowing God to perform a much-needed divine renovation in each of us. We discovered that being rooted in God’s Word, praying continually, and trusting God in everything is our responsibility.

And the best part? We don’t have to move out. We get to stay and watch as God unfolds His beautiful work in us—and in the people around us.