I like the idea of an extreme makeover. Probably because I could use one. Plus I like the idea that people can change, whether it be from a new hairstyle and new clothes or better yet, from the inside out. That’s the best kind of makeover there is. The expert at these makeovers is Jesus. Here’s a few before and after snap shots to prove it.

Once you were wandering aimlessly apart from God with no purpose, but now you have a purpose and a calling greater than you or any one person. In fact, it’s the greatest single calling anyone could ever have– to be His ambassadors and lights to a dark world.

Once you were rejects and castaways with no worth to anyone and better off dead, but now you are sons and daughters to the King of the universe, worth all the blood Jesus shed to purchase you and treasured by your Maker who is also your Abba Father.

Once you were enemies of God, against everything He stands for, but now you are on His side and your name is written on His heart. You are on the side that has been promised to win, and has already won.

Once you were empty and unloved, unwanted by anyone and used up and thrown away like property, but now you are full of life and love and all of God. You are His beloved and He chose you because He wanted you.

Once you were a mess, with a broken heart and a broken life and a trainwreck of a past that most would consider beyond any hope of redemption, but now you are being made whole and being put back together by the One who made you in the first place. He knows where all the pieces go and He won’t lose one. You won’t just be as good as new, but better than you’ve ever been before. In fact, you’ll look just like Jesus.

Once you were dead. Not sick, or even comatose, but dead. You were finished. Now you are alive. Fully alive. You’ve been totally remade and the new you is fantastic. God looks at the new you and sees all the holiness and perfection and righteousness of Jesus. He looks at you and sees Jesus.

So the next time you look in the mirror and don’t like the person staring back, remember how God sees you. When you look at your life and don’t see hope or a future, believe God has promised both for you, and His word is as good as done. When you feel like a colossal failure or a mistake, understand that God only makes masterpieces and He calls you not failure or mistake, but “My beloved Son” or “My beloved daughter” and His name for you trumps what anyone else (including you) has ever called you before. Ever.

People like extreme makeovers. So let people see yours. Live in such a way that people see not just your strengths, but your weaknesses, too. Let your life prove that God can and does use anybody, not just the brave and the strong. Be a vessel that Jesus can shine through until His light and His life and His love are all that people can see. Live surrendered and available for God to use. God uses people like that to change the world. That’s the best kind of makeover possible.

Just ask the original disciples of Jesus. Ask the early church. They’ll tell you the same. The Gospel produces the most awesome makeovers ever.

Amen and amen.