I visited a number of cathedrals while vacationing in Italy. To view these antiquities up-close and stand in the presence of such opulent greatness was overwhelming. Every step and turn revealed intricate craftsmanship and I was left breathless by the beauty of it all.

However, I couldn’t help but notice certain areas of the cathedral were less magnificent than others. There were scaffolds and drop clothes draped in various sections of the building in need of restoration. The contrast between the restored areas and those still in progress was striking and a reminder that restoration of any structure is an evolution of time.

This is not so unlike the restoration process within our Christian life when God seeks to remove the stains and dirt accumulated over time. He power washes areas of our heart with the blood of the Lamb to restore us to His glory. When Jesus died on the cross, He took our shame, gave us His righteousness and restored the glory of God to us.

When we allow God to erect scaffolds to reach areas within our life that need to be restored, he promises we will be praiseworthy, honorable and glorious in His sight. Just as I stood in awe of the restored cathedrals, God wants the world to stand in awe of the workmanship He imparts to the ruins of our life.

The restoration of the cathedrals in Italy happened over time and that is how God works to restore His grace within us; it is over time. I am thankful God continues to move scaffolds and drop clothes to make His glory shine within my life.

Like those cathedrals, I will continue to be an ongoing restoration process until His full glory is revealed within me and I am set free from the decay of this world.

“For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

Nothing can compare with the glory of God, and we have been called to reveal His glory! This glory resides in us because Christ is in us.