Little by Little

Every house I can remember living in has been a work in progress. When I was a kid, that meant learning how to DIY from my Daddy. As an adult that has meant prioritizing what project comes first and later, and when is the right time to begin. I've been thinking for a while about the nature of remodeling on a sometimes squeaky budget. The result is little by little.

We looked at several houses in our search for the one that would fit our needs. The one we chose didn't look or feel (or smell! ;)) like "ours" the first time we walked in... or the day we moved in... or even a month later! (Although by a month later, it was getting better.) But little by little, over the last ten months, I've changed things, and cleaned things, and ripped out carpet, and added new little things. And the more that I work on it, the more it feels like home. Little by little.

It is the same way in the walk of faith. When the Holy Spirit first "moves in", our life doesn't look holy (set apart for God). There is sin and filth and stink. But little by little, as we spend time in the Word, and prayer, and fellowship with other believers, He makes us "look" more like Christ. He exchanges the sin for love, the filth for faith, and the stink for a fragrance that draws others to Himself. I don't believe that we will ever be fully free from our sin in this life, but as we walk with Him, we are being prepared for eternity with our God. Little by little.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
 
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24