I am in the process of finishing our lower level so that it will become a warm home through these cold winter months coming. I’ve done the general contracting before and electrical work on two homes, but not the work myself.  I have a plumber coming, because of a lack of confidence, but right now I’m enjoying the joy of doing the framing work.

There are several interesting obstacles to work around like 8″x12″ beams across the whole house and six windows to frame around, including five that go above the projected drop ceiling. For the beginner the challenge of picturing the completed wall and “measuring twice and cutting once” keeps me thinking. Yet there are a few mistakes that I’m still making. The question is will anyone notice when the sheet rock is up? Most likely not, until someone tries to hang cabinets and the studs are not where they are supposed to be.  Fortunately, the mistakes are more like being off by an 1/8″ or less than perfectly vertical studs. It reminds me of my piano teacher telling me to keep on playing during a recital, because most people may not even notice the mistake.

There is Someone who knows it all. Nothing escapes His notice. This is especially true in the spiritual life. Hebrews 4:13 says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Obviously you could get under the pile for not doing things just perfect. On the other hand, James 2:13 says, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” So you could go the other direction and just blow everything off, because God’s mercy is so great. Or you could apply both and keep pressing forward to the goal of God’s holiness while resting in His mercy.

That is hard for us. We tend to go to one extreme or another. Finding the balance of God’s character in all things comes from years of walking closely with Him in HIs love. That is the way the Christian life is. Pursuing His holiness and resting in His love and mercy. I’ll never be perfect as He is, but I can press toward the mark and rejoice with thankfulness for His mercy as He brings me into conformity to the image of His son.

How are you doing in your spiritual growth?  Are you pressing toward the perfection of His holiness? Do you live in guilt for not being perfect? Compare everything to the character of God and the work that He has begun at the point of salvation will be completed (Phil. 1:6)!