Destination RESToration The Cost and Value of Restoration

This is the final installation of Destination RESToration. If you have not read the first nine segments, I encourage you to do so. Destination RESToration, DR Restored to Our Original Purpose, DR Preparing for Restoration, DR Restored Communion with God, DR Call the Carpenter. DR Remove, Rinse, & Rest. DR Refine & Replenish, DR Tools for Restored Relationships. DR Restoration for the Weary Soul.

I am a bargain hunter. My husband likes to remind me that it is only a good deal if it is something you need or really want and find it for a great price. But there is something very satisfying about finding an old beat up piece of furniture and recreating it into something beautiful and useful, especially if it ends up being a gift for a special friend.

Isn’t that how God is with us? He finds us all broken down, worn out, sometimes we may even think of ourselves as worthless. And then He makes something beautiful of our lives.

A good restoration show reveals the price of the house or project before restoration. Often, we get to know the origins of the house, when it was built, maybe who lived there before and how much it cost at its original construction. The cost of the restoration is given. The value of the finished project is revealed. Then, with oohs and awes, the finished work is unveiled.

Our Original Purpose and Value

Before our world faced the fall in the Garden of Eden, we were a beautiful and perfect creation. God’s plan for us was for us to reflect His beauty and commune with Him in the Garden and rule over the earth. Had there never been sin, there would not be a need for restoration.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.Genesis 1:26-27 ESV 

The Cost of Our Restoration

Restoration projects almost always cost more than originally projected. I have scars on my knuckles from run away sanders. I have friends who have lost blood from injuries during projects gone wrong. The injuries leave scars and maybe remind us of a lesson. But rarely do they cost the life of the one doing the restoration

Because of sin, we have become worn-out, torn down, and in need of restoration. Our only hope for restoration comes through the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. He willingly suffered and paid the ultimate price for our complete restoration. All He wants in return is our hearts.

 He was despised and rejected—

A man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
 

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.
    

He was whipped so we could be healed.

Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
 

Unjustly condemned,
He had done no wrong

But he was buried like a criminal;

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
    he will have many descendants. Isaiah 53

That is us, we are the descendants, the redeemed and the restored.

Our Restored Value ~ Priceless

When we are an object of God’s restoration, we become His children who stand to inherit the Glory of our Heavenly Father, the Maker and Restorer of the Universe.

Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. Romans 8:15-17 NLT

Our Abba Father, our maker cares so much for us that He even knows how many hairs we have on our head. This statement is made to assure us that God cares about every detail of our lives, because to Him, we are priceless.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

Project Complete

We know that God is always working in our lives and will be until we are with Him in Heaven. But there is a ‘project’ that is completed at the time of salvation. We are complete in Him, but He does not want us to just put the finished product on the shelf and let it collect dust. He wants us to continue to grow and use the gifts He has given to us to help build the Kingdom and restore others.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.  For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:6-10

The Master’s Touch Makes us Priceless

We have a violin that has been in our family for over 100 years. My husband’s mom was the last one who played it, probably more than sixty years ago. It is useless in the shape it is in. But it serves as a reminder of the beautiful, even painful as it was, life that she lived. 

I would like to close this series with a song that tells us of a violin that was thought useless until the Master put His hands on it. The dusty old relic suddenly became a priceless instrument in the hands of the Master Artist. Friends, we might feel like the violin that is battered and scared, but with His touch, our lives become priceless. 

Daniel Collier – Touch of the Master’s Hand

Songwriters: John Kramp

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand lyrics © New Spring Publishing Inc.

Heavenly Father, Help us to be restored in you and recognize the value you see in us, so that we will be effective using the gifts you have given to us to help build Your Kingdom. Amen.

If your life needs restoration, I encourage you to, first reach out to the Master Builder who values your life more than anyone else. Then reach out to a friend who can support you through the restoration process. I am also honored to pray for you.

If you have enjoyed this series, please feel free to share or comment. I would love to hear how God has restored your life.