It’s Time to Finish What We Started

Day 21 of 21-Day Sugar Fast

It’s time to finish what we started. Today is Day 21 of my 21-Day Sugar Fast. When I began this journey, I wasn’t sure what Jesus had in mind for me. I desired to reset my physical body and to reconnect with Jesus in a new and deeper way. I didn’t expect Jesus to use this fasting time to revive my writing or to finish what we started a long time ago.

Renovation and Restoration Begins

Two years ago, my husband and I began renovating our home where we raised our three children. In fact, our kitchen still had 1970’s harvest gold flooring, sink, and countertop. I often say I raised my millennials in the 70’s. 🙂

Besides how outdated the interior of our home was, everything was also worn out. But for years we just couldn’t afford to do anything about it.

After my mother-in-law passed away in August 2019, my husband received an inheritance. We chose to use the money to begin the renovation to restore our home.

We went from dark brown kitchen cabinets to painted white ones. A new white sink and countertop replaced the harvest gold sink and countertop. Workers removed our beat-up kitchen appliances and installed shiny new appliances.

Our kitchen and dining room area enlarged simply by removing a wall between them. Then we chose a rich brown vinyl flooring to replace the tattered golden flooring. Thirty plus year-old carpet with stains and tears got ripped out. In came plush new carpet that feels like walking on a pillow.

Next, new light fixtures replaced old ceiling fans and dim lighting fixtures. These new light fixtures cast bright light and illuminate what once was dark.

In addition, we tore down the battered deck and built a new deck where we feel safe and secure, no longer worried one of our grandchildren will fall from missing spindles.

The old deck sure took a beating over the years. Soccer balls and baseballs hit our deck and split spindles. Hail, rain, snow, ice, hot sun, and wind added to the torment our deck endured.

One can only repair for so long. There comes a time when restoration requires replacement.

Spiritual Restoration

To restore means to bring back to or put back into a former or original state. In other words, reinstate the old. But Jesus goes way beyond returning us to our original state. He actually makes us new. Jesus said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)

Like my house restoration, we also need spiritual restoration. Interestingly, restoration is a recurring theme in the Bible. In fact, the promise of 1 Peter 5:10 is about restoration.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

This verse is the primary verse the Lord gave me years ago about my own restoration, what He intended to do for me and in me. However, Jesus did not promise just to restore me, He also promised to make something new. He made me strong, firm, and steadfast in my faith and in many other ways.

As I mentioned on Day 10, the main theme of my book will be focused on Jesus fulfilling His promise to me, restoring me, and renewing me. This spiritual restoration and renewal is for you too.

Renewal

It’s time I share my fun experience learning the true meaning of the word renewal. Years ago, as I was driving one day, I followed a delivery truck of a popular window replacement company. As I drove behind this truck, I read the words on the back of the truck. That’s when Jesus revealed the true meaning of renewal to me. Are you ready?

When we take out the middle three letters of this word, they spell new. Then when we push together the remaining four letters, they too spell a word: real.

Renewal is real new.

Ever since that day, now when I see the word renewal, I see ReNEWal or Real New!

This is what Jesus does to us when we are under His construction. Sure, sometimes all we need is a fresh coat of paint, but others times, Jesus needs to remove things from our life and replace them with something new. Our restoration often requires renewal.

It’s Time To Finish What We Started

It’s been almost two years since our house restoration began with the kitchen. And it’s been about 18 months since our new deck was built. But during the last week of my sugar fast, my house restoration and renewal started up again.

The Lord whispered to me many times this past summer and fall, “It’s time to finish what we started.” And He did it again during this sugar fast. Now, I know Jesus is referring to numerous things in my life, including writing my book and continuing on my health journey. But I learned, He also meant my house.

When Jesus opens the door, He expects us to move and walk through it. Well, He opened the door for more restoration and renewal in my house during this 21-Day Sugar Fast.

I mentioned on Day 20, we hired a painter, but it happened quickly.

With just a weekend’s notice, it was a mad dash to clear out all the rooms so the painter had access to our walls. It took him days to prep and paint multiple rooms. And it was inconvenient and messy for us to live in the house during this restoration. But he finished what he started in about a week.

My dining room, living room, family room, front entrance, two closets, two hallways and one bedroom were all painted white. Gone are the dark brown, green, and blue walls. Dents and dirt disappeared. In came fresh, new, bright interior walls.

Under Construction

Jesus desires to replace the dark with light and the old with new in us too. After all, we are each His temple, His house now. Jesus does intend to finish what He started in us.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Restoration and renewal take time. Plus, we will have clutter to deal with, decisions to make, what to keep, and what to let go. We also need to decide if we are willing to cooperate with Jesus.

When we are under construction, we can expect there will be a mess in our lives. Expect a coating of dust on everything when Jesus starts prepping and restoring you. Also, expect that you will have to clean up the dust too. Better get your swifter ready because Jesus doesn’t do all the work. We have to help too.

Restoration and renewal will be messy and sometimes a little chaotic. But, when Jesus brings in the new light into places in us that once were dark, everyone notices. It’s amazing what happens when Jesus restores and renews us. We still have our same house, but the interior doesn’t look the same any more. It’s more joyful and peaceful. It’s bright and welcoming! Some places may even be larger.

We Can Be Confident in Jesus

Before the new, the refreshment, the healing, or whatever it is that Jesus is doing in your life, there is usually suffering that precedes it. Suffering is part of the process. Expect it. You may get agitated, frustrated, and want to just give up, especially if it takes a long time to restore and renew.

Don’t give up. Have hope. We can be confident in Jesus.

Keep waiting for Jesus’ perfect timing. He may start in one room, then stop for a while. But rest assured, Jesus will finish what He starts in you.

There will come a day when He whispers to you, “It’s time to finish what we started.” When that happens, we can be sure He has plans already in place. He will complete what He started.

Sugar Fast Finished

I did finish what I started. My 21-Day Sugar Fast is completed, but my restoration and renewal continue until Jesus says His work in me is complete.

Thank you for joining me in my 21-Day Sugar Fast. Like I said on Day 20, I’m not exactly sure what comes next, but I am confident that it’s time to finish what we started. So, stay tuned.

I’d love to hear from you if any of the 21 days touched you in any specific way. And for those of you who reached out to me for prayer, I want you to know I prayed every day for you.

Also, if you are interested in doing the Revelation Wellness 21-Day Sugar Fast that I followed, just select the link. There is a small cost, but it’s worth it with all the content you receive including both education about sugar and its effect on our bodies and encouragement from Alisa Keeton, founder of Revelation Wellness.