Condemned or Reconstructed?

So it's been almost a year since I have posted anything, but here goes! I was out doing some yard work the other day with Todd and Lucian. As I was pulling up old forgotten flower beds and digging out old stumps that someone trimmed up but left to keep growing under the foundation of the parsonage and removing lava rock from years gone by I really was able to see the house for what it truly is. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that we have a roof over our heads and that our needs are provided, however I saw some interesting things in my "black thumb landscaping endeavor. I reached up to rest my hand on the edge of the front porch and the corner of the porch trim fell off into my hand. Imagine my dismay! Here I was standing in front of a house that has fairly new aluminum siding and looks pretty good on the outside (except for the landscaping and some areas that are in need of touch-up paint) and there on the inside (the hidden place) was rotted wood. Upon further inspection, this isn't the only place where there was wood rot covered up by fancy aluminum siding. And then it struck me, as things typically do. . .This house is like our hearts. So many times we cover ourselves up with fancy things, clothing or masks so that the inside rotten places are hidden. No one sees the pain or the disgusting aspects of our lives. They just see what we want them to see. What would happen if we laid those places bare? Well, in our society today, we would end up probably having "inspectors" shut us down and lock us up and not let anyone come near because we would be "condemned"! Thank God that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save the world! We can lay ourselves bare before Him, expose our hidden corruption and rottenness and He doesn't slap a "condemned sign on us, He restores and rebuilds! Amen!!