Parallels: Home and Spiritual Renovation—Roofing

(This is part of a series on what I learned through the process of renovating our home, and the parallels to a life yielded to and experiencing God’s work in renovating our life and spirit)

As I continued working on finishing the lower level of our house, work was also moving ahead on our three-season porch. Our framing contractor referred me to a company that could install the roofing for our addition. After meeting with the roofing company and getting a job estimate, we retained them for this work.  This was an easy decision, as the roof was steep, sloped and over 25 feet in the air. The roofing contractor had skilled and experienced workers, specialized tools, safety equipment, and access to a lift truck necessary to do the work. They worked efficiently and kept me apprised of all the steps in the process, as well as the materials they used: Ice and moisture barriers, underlayment, roof sealants, shingles, and more. Because of this they were able to get the work done quickly and safely.

As I write this, other homes in our neighborhood are getting new roofs on their houses. I’ve been watching the progress and reflecting on the roofers’ work, as well as the work our contractor performed on our addition.  What impresses me about these roofers is the high level of teamwork they utilize. They operate and interact seamlessly with each other in their unique jobs within the team. Lack of communication and coordination could result in poor work or, worse yet, someone getting injured. They have embraced the concept of “Esprit de Corp”—the spirit of the team.  The result for our house was high-quality work— a roof installed correctly. efficiently, and safely.

None of us can do everything on our own: We need God, and we need other people. Mother Teresa put this into words many years ago:

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

In our lives we often need the talents and help of other people.  In this blog I am grateful to have some trusted people who help me by inspecting and editing my work. Over the years I have also been blessed to partner with world-class producers and musicians to record the music I’ve written. In these projects I have learned to put aside pride and personal rights when I am corrected and edited in my songwriting, singing, and playing. I have also learned that projects turn out better when I embrace other people’s expertise and ideas over my own personal preferences. It takes a team to produce great things.

In our spiritual journey we also need connections with other, trustworthy people who are on the same road to God as we are. At times when we hit the wall emotionally, physically, or spiritually, it is essential that we invite and open ourselves to help from people whose gifts and skills can help us move on and make it through hardships. This requires an honest assessment of what we can’t do on our own, and an openness to help from those who are better equipped than us in those areas.

Being part of a team also means being available to serve and help other people around us. This means setting aside the “me” focus and replacing it with the “us” mindset.  God gives us talents and gifts not just for our own benefit, but also to help other people. This is the key to effectiveness in life­, and in life together with other Christ-followers. The Apostle Paul once wrote this:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

The most joyful people I know are ones who delight in helping and serving others.  The healthiest churches I have seen and been a part of are those whose members set aside pride and petty differences to take care of each other and help other people in need. Like the roofers in our neighborhood, they don’t hesitate or complain when asked to do work, even so-called menial jobs. Pride and self-sufficiency have no place in the community of people who look to Jesus for life and purpose. Jesus demonstrated this when he stooped down and washed the dirty feet of his closest followers. He didn’t hold onto to his rightful position, but in both words and actions affirmed his words that “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (see Mark 10:45)

As we grow in our personal spiritual renovation, we will start to look and act more like Jesus as we grow in Him—which also involves acknowledging the worth, gifts, and needs of other people. When we humbly ask for help, great things can happen to us. When we humbly work together with others, great things can happen for God.

God bless you!

Chris Atkins