In our early-married years, Pam and I received old furniture from family or bought some at garage sales. One piece in particular was a little table that was completely worn out! It had many layers of paint and stain, one on top of the other. The brass handles of this little table were tarnished beyond recognition. We bought it because it was cheap, but later decided to take it on as a refinishing project!

Well, after many hours of using stripping compound, steel wool, and tung oil, that table had been restored back to its former glory! We were committed to that table’s restoration, and when it was fully refurbished, we felt like proud parents!

One need only take a minute to view a news page on a daily basis to feel that our world is tarnished and twisted. At times it can feel hopeless, can’t it?

Because of the impact of sin, our world is like an old side table––covered with layers of faded paint and stain, gouges in the wood, and in disrepair. As citizens of this God-needy world we, too, are tarnished and often reflect the impact of sin. We need a Savior and we desperately need refurbishing that only God can provide.

In this season of human history, it is God’s purpose to shine in the world through people who are being restored to more fully reflect His goodness.

I love how the apostle Paul put it in his letter to the Corinthian church:

Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more (2 Corinthians 3:17,18 NLT).

As citizens of God’s Kingdom, we join in His purposes. First by being refurbished and transformed––one-step at a time––and second, to be God’s instruments in helping others grow in Christ and be transformed as well.

What areas of your life need refurbishing? Do you see God changing you? Are you in the process of helping someone else become more of the person God intends him or her to be?