Under Construction

Years ago there was a catchy little song by Steven Curtis Chapman. It started out talking about having a t-shirt that says what I believe, then having the letters on your bracelet to serve as your I.D. and even the necklace, key chain and many other things…including a Jesus bumper sticker and the outline of a fish stuck on your car! Then the chorus went;

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

What about a life that’s showing

I’m undergoing the change

If we are who we say we are… Christians… Then shouldn’t there be some kind of change within us? Shouldn’t we love one another, as Jesus told us to do? Shouldn’t we be showing grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others who have wronged us? Shouldn’t our lives be showing that we are undergoing not “A” change, but “THE” change?

The answer is a resounding YES! They should. Don’t misunderstand, we aren’t called to be perfect. We aren’t called to be “holier than thou.” We are called to be servants, to love, to show forgiveness, to show grace, mercy, and to give hope to those around us.

I am “Under Construction” so-to-speak; A work in progress. And if you’re honest with yourself, you are too. Each day brings something new into our lives. And each day the mercy of the Lord is new.

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. ~Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT (emphasis added)

Forgiveness, grace, and hope. That’s what we need to be living. Every day. Our “Under Construction” sign should be blinking continually, letting others know that hey, I am not perfect. I am under construction. I am constantly changing. I am continually learning and being taught new things from the Lord. Every time you see me, there should be something new about me because of the changes that God is making in my life. I want to be closer and closer to Him every day. And I want to pass that along to you.

Be excited in who you are in Christ! Because knowing Him IS exciting! Knowing that there is more and there are better things to come is exciting! Be under construction. Let the forgiveness, grace, and hope of the Lord change you, each and every day!

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.