A Work in Progress

A Work in Progress

Author: Jamie Huggins, Communications & Social Media Director
Path of Victory - Part 4

Have you ever watched the show 'Fixer Upper'? In each episode, the Gaines duo—Chip, the contractor, and Joanna, the designer—encourage homebuyers to purchase the worst house on the block and transform it into something beautiful. It sounds like a lot of fun, right?

My husband, Josiah, and I purchased our "fixer-upper" three years ago. The house had "good bones" and was located in a nice community but needed significant work. Everything in every room—from the doors and windows to the trim, flooring, and fixtures—was outdated and needed updating. I reassured myself, "It's not so bad. We can handle it…can't we?"

Early on, something became incredibly clear: real-life renovations, especially those you try to do yourself, are much less glamorous than they appear on television. I am not skilled at DIYs—I can barely cut a straight line. The sheer number of design choices was daunting—who knew there were 10,000 shades of white? On top of that, the never-ending expenses stressed me out. Seriously, how much do new windows cost? I wasn't cut out to be Joanna Gaines.
 
Fortunately, my husband is the opposite. Josiah is very talented and can build anything. He takes the time to learn new skills if he doesn't know how to do something. He is patient and can see the bigger picture in home renovations—and honestly, in many areas where I fall short.

Today, we're reaching the point where each change feels more like home. I can't take any credit for it, though. When things got hard, I wanted to give up. Despite that, Josiah continued—he diligently abided—tackling projects in the evenings and on weekends. This process hasn't been quick or easy, but we are only where we are now because he persevered, looking beyond the demolition.

This Sunday, Pastor Josh continued our Easter series, "Path of Victory," delivering a message on Jesus' miracles. He emphasized a key trait of Jesus—His ability to "abide." Being fully God and fully man, Jesus "emptied Himself" (Philippians 2:6-7), choosing not to rely on His divine strength. Instead, He depended on His Father's will and the Holy Spirit's power.

Jesus' abiding nature is displayed in one of His most powerful and personal miracles: raising Lazarus from the dead. This story highlights Jesus' full humanity and dependence on His Father. One striking element is that when Jesus hears about his friend's illness, He does not go to him immediately; instead, He waits two more days (John 11:5-6). Why delay? The answer is in verse four.

– John 11:4

Jesus was preparing for a miracle of undeniable significance. He remained obedient to His Father's will, knowing Lazarus needed to die and be recognized as deceased. According to Jewish tradition, the soul lingered near the body for three days after death, but after this period, the soul returned to God. By intentionally waiting to resurrect Lazarus, Jesus drew others to Himself, validated His identity, and demonstrated God's glory.

Where do you see yourself in this account? If you recall our fixer-upper journey, you might guess where I stand. I often struggle to see the bigger picture—whether in home projects or understanding God's plans for my life. I relate to Mary and Martha, who questioned why Jesus delayed His arrival. The situation unimaginably seemed unfair from their perspective, but they didn't realize there was more to the story.

If you struggle to look beyond the immediate, you are not alone. This story reminds us that God has a greater plan and invites us to abide in Him. Although we may not see clearly or understand our circumstances, our lives are a work in progress. God is working everything for His glory and our good.

– 1 Corinthians 13:12