Tearing It Apart by Susan L.

  There is something satisfying about stripping the front deck down to its foundation. I stopped by the hardware store yesterday and was advised to rip up the floor. To simply put something on top only traps moisture so everything would rot out that much quicker. I had already figured this was the case but was trying to take some shortcuts. Oh, well, it was worth looking into.  
  It's cause for celebration that the right tools for the job are at hand. This means the thick boards can be cut before trying to wrestle them loose. And wrestle it is! For the most part, they are solid. The exposed ends and the first half inch are all that is squishy. It's too much to have simply sanded it off. That leaves an inch and a quarter of solid to challenge human muscles. Only half is done because it takes a lot of strength, even with a pry bar for leverage I got tired. The nails used to attach the floor to the supporting joists are ridiculously long!
  The foundation is still strong, having been protected from the elements by the floor. I am so glad there's something left to work with.
  There's something philosophical about that. Corny maybe, but philosophical.
  So many of Jesus' teachings in Scripture refer to cutting away what is bad in order to encourage new growth. Submitting to the process isn't always easy. Like the four inch nails holding the deck together, they groan and scream as they are pried loose. We're the same, I suppose, when we are called to let go of things we feel are important (Groan! Scream!) but interfere with our relationship with our Lord.
  I've heard many who don't follow Jesus explaining their reluctance because it means giving up too much. Maybe we are called to give up some things but somehow, when Jesus is invited into our life, they no longer seem so important after all. Besides, He will never tear up the foundation of our identity that was created uniquely for us at the dawn of creation. He only wants to uncover it, build on it until we are the beautiful, shining beings we were predestined to be before the hurts and woes of this world wore it away.
  If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, I invite you to take a chance and invite Him into your life. He will never ask you to give up anything until the time is right.
  "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." mat 11:28-29