Remodeling at the soul level

The old kitchen sink laid outside, still attached to the countertop now askew in the driveway. Most remodels are a dynamic process. Life seems a little crazy before a new normal develops. “Tear out” makes a mess, but then things begin to take shape and get cleaned up. The “install” creates a new habitat that has improvements over the former space. But its hard work and takes time, expense, and effort, and often the help of others.

Also last week, First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint hosted Bike & Build, an organization that raises funds and awareness toward affordable housing through young adults who ride bicycles across the country. The church provided space to sleep, and some meals. Coordinating with Bonner Homeless Transitions, the group spent one of those hot summer days on the task of emptying a large storage space. Several loads were taken away, some shared with Habitat for Humanity to help others, but many loads were only suitable for the solid waste management site. Thanks to this group effort, the large storage area is now clean. This allows for plans to develop to help those who are not housed.

Like a storage area can become unusable due to accumulated clutter, or a kitchen’s wear and tear adds up to broken appliances and leaky pipes, our lives can suffer from worn out assumptions, unchecked attitudes, and skewed views, even ones we thought were devout. When we totalize our own perspectives, our experience of a larger reality gets limited.

In the Gospel according to Luke, a woman with a physical ailment can’t even stand up straight. This outward condition is an indicator of so much brokenness. Most people blamed her for her condition. Jesus heals her, she stands up and praises God; she’s freed from bondage. The leader of that local synagogue is indignant, shouts at the crowds that no work was to be done on the Sabbath, even healing through Jesus. He defends a religious command, but although his assumptions and perspective seem correct, he’d lost touch with God’s larger, loving unity and the deep bonds of humanity in covenant community.

Sometimes it’s when we think we’re right that humility has the most to teach us. Even what we assume is the voice of God may need revisited through a process of self-awareness. Like remodeling at a soul-level, this can be a painful process, to learn about ourselves and let go of our assumptions. But it can also open us and raise awareness of God’s larger reality based on inclusiveness, justice, and love.

Rather than spiritual DIY (do-it-yourself), a community of faith, a church or mission team, a spiritual director, or other companions can help us see other perspectives, encourage us to remain open to the Spirit’s ongoing work, and help us to follow Jesus as he gives of himself in love for the world. For spiritual freedom, learning the art of letting go helps us gain so much more.

Andy Kennaly is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., Sandpoint. The church can be found online at www.fpcsandpoint.org.