We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:18
I can appreciate the concept, “What you see is what you get.”
To a point.
A few days ago we listed our house of twenty years. Reasons for that include the need to downsize (without the sweet clamor of four little ones, my nerves jangle inside a house built with room for six) and to ease financial burden.
Along with detailed description of the house and property, it’s clearly and unashamedly listed, “As is.”
Which means…
“Dear, potential buyer, we realize there are nicks and dings throughout the place, undeniable signs of age. To be expected in a 24 year old house where, for the last 20, we’ve raised four kids, adding a high-spirited Fox Terrier puppy to the mix in 2005, hosted countless social groups, and opened the pool every summer for friend gatherings. Water-soaked feet traipsing across hardwoods takes a toll. Through the years, we’ve performed several improvements as we were able but need to pass this privilege into your capable hands.”
After first showing, our realtor shared the overall feedback.
It went like this… “It needs a lot of work.”
Right.
The property is in less than pristine condition and is to be valued — and sold — ‘as is’.
Being honest, I find myself viewing people in a similar way. Like they’re a house on the market, up for scrutiny.
Eyes fixed on that which is not to my liking in others, I discover things that don’t suit me when I – and they – are created in the image of God.
And yet I expect you to regard me ‘as is’. To see me with the heart of Joanna Gaines who sees all that’s broken and chipped and rotted and claims it as treasure, excited about the crazy amount of potential hidden inside.
To see what’s unseen, eternal. The heart Christ has for His creation.
Through the years, my spiritual roots have grown deep, nourished by regular scripture study and prayer and worship and difficulty meant to shape me into the image of Christ. But I’m not there yet.
Until then, I’m to be valued ‘as is’, yet with unlimited capacity to improve.
To become perfect.
To become holy.
To develop the mind of Christ.
To be filled with the Spirit.
To pray, not off and on, but continually.
I can’t stand on a faulty foundation of inability or unwillingness to change. Instead, I come with a clause that says, ‘as is’, a work in process. So hang with me. The final reveal will look like Jesus.
How about you? Do you accept yourself ‘as is’, embracing that which makes you utterly unique while also welcoming God’s desire to restore what’s been broken?