As I write this, I can hear the thundering hammers and the clanking of crowbars. The neighbors next door are having their roof replaced.
I am always amazed at how quickly and efficiently this process happens. The workers arrive right after sunrise and will work until the last ray of light disappears over the horizon, often finishing in one day.
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The first job, of course, is to strip off the old shingles. Every one of them. You can’t just replace some, because the new ones won’t match the old. Even if it’s the same brand of shingle, the old ones will be faded and darker and look different. The roof will resemble a patchwork quilt, so the surface has to be completely redone.
Disposing of old shingles
Then they put down a water-resistant underlay, to assure there will be no leaks. Finally, the new shingles are nailed into place, giving the house a fresh, new appearance.
Yes, you guessed it. I feel another analogy coming on. Accepting Jesus as Savior is like having your roof replaced — seeking His will for your life can also be quick and efficient. But first it involves disposing of the old shingles — the sinful activity you’ve fallen into over the years, the exposure to temptation that you allow to hang around in the shadows. It all has to go. You can’t just get rid of some of it. Otherwise your spiritual walk will look like that patchwork quilt — some good, some bad. That’s not what God wants. He wants to adopt you as His child. He wants all of your life.
The next step is the underlay. A thorough knowledge of God’s word will provide the sin-resistant foundation for your walk. Knowing who He is, how much He loves and what He wants of you are at the core of your faith. Then will come demonstrations of your faith — the nailing down of the new shingles. A changed life. A new, fresh you.
In the book of Revelation, John writes, “He who was seated on the throne said, “‘I am making everything new!’” So get your roof replaced today. Because in this challenging world we live in, the storms of life are coming.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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