“If after all this you will not listen to me. . . . I will break down your stubborn pride.” (Lev. 26:18, 19)
Expanded Passage: Leviticus 26:18-20
The smell from under the kitchen sink has been wafting for some time—perhaps decades. Most days, it was part of the “character” of our two-hundred-year-old country house. But this week, an exploratory search under the cabinets quickly evolved into a complete kitchen demo. Faulty pipes and water damage have wreaked havoc down below. We need a total remodel.
The image of our gutted kitchen reminds me that God is a strong and tender contractor. Unsatisfied to leave us as we are, he allows us to be undone. Examining our hearts is not always a pleasant journey. Prayers like “Search me, God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23) often lead to disruptive discoveries. Beneath our varnished exteriors, we unearth self-reliance, pride, and unholy ego. When we let God reveal us down to our “studs,” our hearts can feel vulnerable. In short, we are humbled.
And yet, even with the joists and crawl space exposed, there is good news. As we submit to God’s purifying Spirit and allow our rotten parts to be renewed, our foundation becomes strong. As surrendered children of God, our lives become strong and solid places of blessing in our world. No wind or storm will shake us. And in place of our fragility and offense, our lives are like warm, inviting kitchens with large tables of hospitality and compassion for others.
Look for the ways God has humbled and rebuilt you.
Michaela Moore enjoys country road runs, coffee with friends, beautiful books, and long, laugh-filled walks with her husband and co-pastor, Jackson. She has an MA in ministry and spiritual formation from Wesley Seminary (IN).
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
