Every Old Barn Needs a Fresh Coat of Paint Every Now and Then

Once while serving as Worship Pastor at a church in New Orleans I decided to crash a Mary Kay party that my wife was attending at our Pastor’s house.  I have no idea what would posses a grown man to crash an even in which ladies of all ages and in all stages of life would be getting gussied up with the latest colors of the season but I did.  It could have been my overwhelming love of my young bride or possibly it was the fear of having to ask, “You spent how much?”  While crashing this party, I learned just how well female gatherings are stocked with lots of great food and fellowship.  So, I tried to stay as long as possible.  As long as the appetizers kept rolling out I was good for another half hour.

Let me just put out this disclaimer, I have never claimed to be a make up artist or professional cosmetologist but I am pretty sure that blue eyeshadow is a color that Mary Kay could have quit making with the departure of the eighties.  I listened to the hostess explain to the ladies how just a touch of color could soften, brighten, or highlight certain features while also learning that a little bit of powder or foundation could hide or diminish scaring or birth marks.  Some of the ladies attending had never been taught how to properly use make up or that they could use it.  Being the father of two girls, I naturally assumed that lip gloss and a little bit of make up were eventually a rite of passage.  Boy was I wrong.  These few ladies were just sure if they really should start using make up, especially since they were maturing in years.  In an effort to help the hostess, I encouraged them by saying, “Every old barn needs a fresh coat of paint every now and then.”  Laughter erupted and I believe the hostess had 100% of her guests purchase something.

So where exactly is this blog heading?  Is it simply a blog to tell you a funny story?  Could be, however, there is a much deeper spiritual truth here.  Are you ready for it?  No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, your age, or your stature every Christian could use a spiritual touch up every now and then.  I’ve spent a lot of time listening to folks who have been Christians for many years who live and talk as though they know everything they need to know about their walk with Jesus and the Bible.  They have become very comfortable in their standing with the Lord.  Those around them can tell that their paint is flaking.  The old wood is starting to show through.  Many imperfections and scars are starting to rear their heads and the shine is wearing down and in some cases has completely disappeared.  Just like the old barn that needs a fresh coat of paint Christians need to be constantly checking the mirror for our imperfections and scars that might be making a comeback appearance. 
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a brand new creation.  Old things are gone all things are new.”

So the next time you begin to think that you’ve got it all covered or that you’ve been a Christian long enough to quit improving on your relationship with the Lord look in the mirror.  It may be time for a fresh coat of paint.