Investing in What You Can’t See, Post #23

So I just had to purchase a new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) System for my home. Not what I wanted to spend a huge amount of money on—something I really can’t see yet I can feel it…

It was going to be so fun to spend my tax refund money on trips, spa days, paying principal on my mortgage…you get the drift. Sorry to say that’s not the way it worked out.

As a single woman, I don’t ever go up in my attic. Who wants to lug a huge ladder into the hallway, punch the little wooden door and climb up the ladder to the top step just to see darkness up there? Not me, buddy.

So the HVAC guy told me that not only did I need a new outdoor unit and air-handler in the attic, but also I needed all new ductwork. What is wrong with the ductwork I have? He proceeded to show and tell me that it’s all deteriorated, that the reason my electric bills had been so high is that my unit and ductwork are about 20 years old. The analogy he used to describe heating my house was akin to having the oven on with the oven door wide open, wasting valuable energy and resources. Hmmm…

Not wanting to be taken advantage of, I called four companies to receive bids. My mouth fell open when the lowest bid for HVAC and ductwork was $2000 more than I had anticipated. Gulp…

The new system was installed last week. The only way I can easily tell I have a new HVAC system are my cute digital thermostat in my hallway and the new shiny metal gray unit outside my house. Although I don’t go up there, I know that shiny new ductwork is in my attic. It has been transformed and renewed!

You might be asking, “So what?”

As I lay in my bed hearing the click of the heat come on, it occurred to me:  How much do I invest in my faith and my relationship with God, something/Someone I can’t necessarily see, but I can feel?

Through the years, if I had gone up in my attic and inspected the dark, scary places of my house, I could have maintained my ductwork better.

My heart is the same way.  If I don’t examine the dark, scary places in my heart, shed light on my weaknesses (which may include bitterness, resentment and buried memories), intentionally repair them, I will pay the consequences down the road.  The results: I can’t always see the results, but the people around me and I can feel the wonderful difference.   May we examine the HVAC system of our souls and make the investment in what we can’t necessarily see. It will change the atmosphere around us, around our world. Feel the change of heart?

Reflect:

–How can I intentionally inspect,  deep-down, to get what I’m expecting?

–How does your “attic” of the soul look? How is the atmosphere you operate in—too chilly, just right? Invest today in your faith. Please comment.

Renew:

–“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” –Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV 1984)

–“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” –Psalm 51:10 (NIV 1984)

–“May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” –1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NIV 1984)

— “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12 (NIV 1984)

Recharge:

—What is your plan to “clean up” your soul’s attic and invest in what you can’t see? A few suggestions–1) read a little in your Bible daily (if you never have read it, open it up and start with Proverbs or John); 2) find a Christ-centered church home to attend–Easter is less than two weeks away!; 3) volunteer and serve others; 4) reconcile with a loved one who wounded you or vice versa; 5) Forgive. The possibilities are endless.  Please comment.