Time for a Fix-Up

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 NKJV)

My husband and I enjoy watching “fix-up” TV shows where the hosts turn derelict homes into gorgeous living spaces. 

We laugh at their small budgets, though. In our three decades of marriage, we’ve fixed up four homes from 30 to 120 years old, replacing entire roofs, wiring, paint, plumbing, driveways, kitchens, garages…even an exterior wall where a lady drove her car into the side of our dining room. We know how much things really cost! 

Getting stuff repaired is a never-ending job with serious expenses in time, effort, and money. There’s always something somewhere in a house breaking down. As the handyman in our family, I’m the one who gets the quotes from home repair services…or who grabs the hammer and cordless drill to do the task myself

This kind of effort is nothing new. King Josiah was placed on the throne in Judah at merely eight years of age, but he learned quickly how to reign with wisdom. By the time he was 18, Josiah had pulled together a team of skilled workers to start reconstruction on damaged parts of God’s temple. His actions showed insight for getting the job done: 

• Josiah chose his crew well—carpenters, builders, and masons known as faithful workers.
• He paid them without question—they were faithful and honest men he could trust.
• He provided them with good materials—timber and stones to renovate.

In the process, Josiah received an unexpected gift, with mixed blessings. The priest Hilkiah had uncovered a copy of God’s laws during the renovation and sent it to the king. After being convicted by the Scriptures, Josiah purged God’s holy place from idolatry and destroyed items brought into the temple by the past kings. He restored integrity to his people to worship and serve God alone (see 2 Kings 22-23).

In our own clean-up efforts today, what can we learn from the wisdom of Josiah?

First, we need to surround ourselves as much as possible with faithful friends, for their encouragement and support as much as their tangible assistance. We need to choose trustworthy people who will carry out their work effectively and honestly. And we need to provide them the tools and materials they need to finish well.

Most importantly, we need to look for joy in the job—for times when we can see God’s presence, His direction, His handiwork, and His provision. We need to seek the unexpected gifts He offers, the “God moments” where He shines His light into our fatigue and despair, urging us to persevere. And we need to remove all idols and sins that put up barriers between us and God’s kingdom work.

Friends, let’s count the costs, too, as Jesus Himself urged us when He spoke to the multitudes: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?” (Luke 14:28-30 NKJV)

Whatever you’re building, fixing, or renovating this week—a business, a mission, a medical practice, a home, a church, a school, a playground—carefully plan for the timeline, monies, and labor. Then ask God to provide what it takes to finish well. Ask Him for His treasures as you engage in His divine assignments. Ask Him to help you accomplish your dreams with integrity and for His glory.

Then turn all your “fixes” over to Him in prayer. He is the Master Repairer!

Oh God, Creator of all things, please be with me in my earthly tasks as I strive to repair broken things around me. Give me wisdom, energy, and prudence to wisely manage the problems. Surround me with capable friends who will join me to serve Your kingdom. And bring me “God moments” when I will see Your hands at work for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #wisdom #repairs #renovation #fixup #fixerupper #josiah