God's Punch List

It never fails. No matter what the construction project, no job is ever finished until the completion of the Punch List: a list of mistakes and imperfections that must be transformed and corrected, which fail to conform to the architect’s vision.

Historically (before the invention of the iPad), on construction sites where it’s easy for paper to get lost, the punch list would be fastened onto a wooden post. As each item was completed, a worker would use a nail to “punch” a hole next to each completed item. Only after every item on the punch list was corrected could the job supervisor truly declare, “It is finished.”

Like an architect envisioning a glorious city, when God created mankind, He envisioned a “holy nation” and a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). Because God granted us free will, He knew from the start the job would be messy. Every prideful thought, selfish act, and imperfection of mankind reveals that we have failed to conform to the Master Architect’s vision. Knowing from the beginning that we could never attain perfection on our own, God planned from the start to come to earth as a humble carpenter and satisfy the Punch List by taking the sin of mankind upon Himself.

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)

Two thousand years ago, stretched across two wooden beams, Jesus the Son of God gave His life as three nails were violently punched into His human flesh. Only then could He cry out to Heaven, “It is finished.”

“. . . With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 NIV)

On our own, none of us can satisfy the Punch List stacked against us. Romans 3:23 reminds us that we are all inherently selfish and deeply flawed human beings, but God in His great mercy sees us as He created us to be. Coming to earth to complete the job, He stretched out His arms to all who would receive Him (John 1:12), transforming us into a "holy nation" and "kingdom of priests."

Father in Heaven, thank you for seeing me not as I am but as who you envisioned me to be when you created me. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins and completing the task I could never complete. As I surrender myself to you, please fill me with power through your Holy Spirit to live a life worthy of the calling I have received (Ephesians 4:1).

If you do not know Jesus and His great gift of love, why not visit your local church this Easter to learn more about this great gift?

Copyright © 2017 Shadia Hrichi. Used by permission.