I watched a British renovation show. It was about transforming ugly houses to lovely, beautiful ones. The interior did not work well for the family, and though extensions had been built years ago, they needed to be demolished and redone, oftentimes in a new modern aesthetic. An architect was brought in, to create the plans to make the needed changes, and many times the family was not sure such a drastic change would work. Nevertheless, as the transformation took anywhere from weeks to months to complete, the end result presented itself as a fresh new environment for the family to enjoy, and the house was no longer called ugly, but lovely.

I think we need to draw up architectural plans for our lives, and what better time to think about doing something new than at the end of one year and the soon-to-start beginning of a new one.

How long are we to continue to think about change yet do nothing to implement it? Like the families of the television show who knew change was needed for their home but didn’t know how to go about it, we as individuals tend to do the same regarding life.

• Wanting to get out of debt, but not sure how to construct a solution
• Knowing change is needed for how to live life, but not sure how to make those changes
• After continued failures of starting something yet not confident to continue, an internal power of boldness is needed to be successful, from starting a business to going back to school, to finding a different job

Dictionary meanings:

Architecture	the art of construction resulting from a conscious act
Reconstruct	Re-create or reimaging something
Renovate	to restore to a former better state; to restore to life, revive
Design	to conceive and plan out in the mind; to have a purpose; intend to devise for a specific function or end
Boldness	Showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit adventurous free

• The family on the show hired an architect who drafted plans to make the needed changes, and the family had to approve it before moving on
• The family had to step out of their comfort zone, because the architect’s design was modern, which changed the original design of the house
• Many parts of the house were demolished and rebuilt as it was being revived, giving it newness in the design

What do you want to build, and how do you want to build it? What renovations do you want to make in your life? As we are about to embark on a new year, what would you like to reconstruct? What needs to be renovated and restored to a better state? Perhaps many of us need to get out pen and paper, writing down what went well in 2024, and what needs to be repurposed and redone in 2025, having an intention to couple it with a boldness that lacks fear, being daring in the process. How can we do that and be successful? I can only speak for myself, but I know there were times in 2024 that I admit I could have been bold but chose not to be. But with each new year I can say I’m blessed to have more time, but I also realize I am getting older, and I need to step out and bust a move through designing a better way of life.

How can I be successful this time? Consider the following:

Isaiah 43:19	“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 41:10	“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Hebrews 3:4	For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

There is nothing wrong with having a restorative plan for change, but God must be involved.

Proverbs 16:3	Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 19:21	Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16:9	In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

The family in the television show were excited and happy with the results of their home renovations.They relied on the creative advice of the architect, the builders, and all the workers. As we begin 2025, making plans is great, but get God’s approval. Look at what did and did not work before, and give it all over to God, the author and finisher of our faith, who (if we allow this to happen) will make the necessary revisions to make your life renovation successful. Through His power, you will obtain the boldness to implement what is needed, experience reconstruction revival, as you without fear begin your adventurous redesign of what we call the architectural design of your life.

Happy new year!