The Mess

On my way to work this morning I drove past a sea of orange cones, barrels, and people in hard hats. I've been driving past this same spot every in-office day for months. Because I live in New Jersey I have become pretty desensitized to road work (if you know, you know). But today I was feeling a bit annoyed by all the changes they keep making and the new traffic patterns they're creating.

I was alone in my car but in typical Jersey fashion I shouted out, "What a mess! Can't stand it!" But then I looked around at the new buildings going up and remembered the way everything used to look. The area was full of old, abandoned structures and the infrastructure was antiquated. It was after that observation that I quietly said to myself, "But it's going to be so beautiful when they're finished."

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Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

People don't necessarily have the best track record for seeing things from God's perspective. Instead, we see what our flesh tells us to see - the problems, the turmoil, the heartache. Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, it's difficult to see the NEW thing that God wants to bring forth out of the mess.

For example, our Father's plan of redemption for mankind was (and still is) difficult for people to see because it involves the Son of God suffering and dying. How could something that looks so bad turn out so good? After all, Jesus' entire life was arguably a mess. Jesus was born in a messy stable (ref. Luke 2:7), despised and rejected by many (ref. Isaiah 53:3), homeless (ref. Matt 8:20), was betrayed by a close friend (ref. Matt 26:14-16), and then abandoned by the rest of his friends (ref. Mark 14:50). But God had already worked out a beautiful outcome. Jesus didn't come to conquer and reign over mankind, He came to humbly sacrifice His life, exchanging His righteousness for our condemnation. Those listening to the Spirit of God should be able to see that once the work was finished, God's beautiful love for us could now be revealed.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Thinking back to this morning and the construction, one day there will be a beautiful reveal of new buildings, new infrastructure, new landscaping, etc. We need to keep our eyes fixed on what God is doing in every situation and what good He plans to unveil. It's a cliché saying but sometimes things have to get messy before they get better. Do you remember when Jesus healed the blind man by rubbing mud in his eyes? (ref. John 9:1-12) I'm sure some bystanders were thinking, "Great, he made a mess of this man's face, now what?" I can just imagine what Jesus might have said back, "You'll see, and so will this man."

The next time you see a messy situation - don't think about how bad it looks, ask for God's eyes to see the beauty that is to come.