Just Carpet

By Tim Keller, Lead Pastor

The ringing of the phone woke me from a sound sleep and I fumbled for my phone. As my senses returned to me I realized that it was Saturday, late afternoon. I was at home on my couch, trying to sneak in a nap before dinner.

I found and answered my phone and was disappointed to learn that it was a sales call. I had won a complete makeover of my home. I was told that my prize was valued at $10,000.00 and that I could select precisely what work I desired to have done to my home.

It was no joke. It was no gimmick. I had won a fabulous prize and found myself in position to have my home completely refurbished. Most importantly, it was all going to be free.

The interior designer stopped by on Monday morning and I signed a few documents indicating that I understood the concept and would be responsible for choosing the changes I desired to be done to my home. I quickly agreed and signed my name.

That’s when I told the designer that all I wanted to change in my home was to have new carpeting installed in the living room. When he balked at my wish I responded a bit more emphatically. Just carpet. After 20 minutes of arguing he finally shrugged his shoulders and agreed.

The carpet installers arrived a week later and in just a matter of hours I had lovely new carpeting in my living room. I was delighted.

A month passed before one evening I happened to study my new floor covering and came to a stunning conclusion. I was not satisfied. The carpet looked great. The paint on the walls did not. The new carpeting was making the old paint look really bad.

I had some savings in the bank and so I decided to pay to have a professional painter come and apply a fresh coat of paint to the walls in my living room. Upon the completion of his work the carpeting and walls now looked great! I was pleased . . . until I noticed how bad the fluorescent lighting made the whole area look.

It was at this point that I really started to evaluate my original decision. I had been interested in controlling the remodeling so that only what I wanted to see changed would change. I ignored the wisdom of a professional designer and carefully selected the things that my own eye had observed. Now, I was living with a less-than-ideal home only because of my own choices.

My fictional story reflects the choices that many Christians make when Jesus Christ offers to enter their lives with His sanctifying power. They initially identify only a few small areas of their lives where His power to transform is needed and welcome Him to go to work there . . . and only there.

Yet when He does, they suddenly discover that they are unsatisfied and unhappy with sharing control of their lives with God. They long for more and greater changes that God has wanted to bring about all along. It is at this point where a major choice needs to be made; allow the ultimate Interior Designer to enjoy the freedom to upgrade their lives or seek to limit His control.

The final verdict is clear. I will never know the incredible changes that God can and will bring about in my life until I yield the authority I claim to Him.

Until then, I will live with just my new carpet.