when god restores...

It was such a sweet video. Recalling the story of how Jason Momoa did something awesome for the love of his life, Lisa Bonet. He decided to surprise her with the restoration of a vehicle that she had owned when she was 17 years old--a rusted, semi-raggedy, classic Ford Mustang convertible.

You could tell how much Jason loved his woman. He wanted to restore something that belonged to her before he had even known her. Clearly what was important to her was important to him. So, he got the car to a body shop and a time-lapse video exposed many details of what the restoration process looked like. There were corroded parts, leaking parts, and broken parts. Ripped leather and old, cracked material. The body of this gem was trash. Old and unpleasing to the eye. Yet, Jason recognized its worth and the value of having it restored. In fact, he found out that this Mustang was one of three of its kind!

God promises to restore us as well. And He is not just talking about replacing old parts. He's talking about rebuilding us....giving us new parts--a new lease on life in fact. Life time leaves us rusted out, with corroded thoughts, broken faith, and leaky hearts. Our courage is ripped and our joy is old and cracked. Yet, God recognizes our entire worth and the value of restoring us to what he originally intended us to be because we belong to Him! "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"     2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Lisa's face when she saw that Mustang restored to its former glory. She was surprised, amazed, and in disbelief. Her joy was also Jason's joy. This was evident as they took a ride in the newly-restored car. She. was. so. happy. When a man loves a woman, he will go great lengths to restore what is of value to her. This newly-restored Mustang would also create new memories.

God's brand of restoration isn't about reliving the past; it's about positioning ourselves for something new. God reminds us, "But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT.

You are one of a kind. It doesn't matter what you've gone through in life or how it has broken you down. the material point is.....God restores. And that's good news!

Get ready for something new!

jep