05/27/2026
Restored. Restoried.
One of the best parts of being a pastor is the privilege of hearing the incredible stories of the people I serve. I get to hear the good stories and the hard stories.
All kinds of stories that center around different plot linesā¦
Marriage.
Kids.
Love.
Death.
Sickness.
Finances.
If itās native to the human experience, thereās a story.
And like a kaleidoscope, our stories weave in and out in an abundance of colors, shapes, and sizesā¦ and like a kaleidoscope, theyāre beautiful (and a bit overwhelming).
But the one story that every Christian shares in common is that of restoration.
Restoration is the work of taking something that was lost, deteriorating, or decrepit and turning it into something beautiful, whole, and ānew.ā Itās a story of transformation and renewal.
I love those stories. In fact, I never get tired of hearing them. Itās the best story in the universe, because itās the story of the Gospelā¦ and itās deeply human. That's why we love them so much!
When we watch shows like Fixer Upperā¦ or Extreme Makeover Home Editionā¦or The Biggest Loserā¦
We are watching stories of restoration!
When we watch movies like The Princess Diariesā¦or Star Warsā¦
We are watching stories of restoration!
When we celebrate a friend in recoveryā¦or when a loved one rings the bell in the cancer wingā¦
We are watching someone live a story of restoration!
We love these stories because they speak to us in a deeply human and deeply spiritual way.
The Gospel is the story of how God restores a broken humanity.
Where once there was a darkness in my heartā¦ there is now light, and life, and hope!
Where once there was a broken relationship between God and meā¦ there is now peace, and love, and unity.
Where once there was pride born of insecurityā¦ there is now humility, and with it, the ability to love others, not for what I can gain from them, but because I am so abundantly loved that I have love to share.
Restoration is the fundamental longing of every human heart. Because deep down, we all know that we are brokenā¦ that the story we are living is not as vibrant and full as our hearts tell us it should be.
And thatās our second clue that this is the longing of every heart...
Because restoration brings with it a new story.
Consider an old rusty car. Itās been sitting in a barn, abandoned and left to time for 50 years. Then, by no effort of its own, a master mechanic finds it, buys it, and restores it.
Where once there was a rusty box of metal sitting on deflated rubberā¦ There is now a beautiful car, radiantly gleaming in the sun, and ready to explore the world!
What does the owner do with the vehicle?
Does he put it back in that dusty barn to rot again?
NEVER.
He drives it.
He shows it off.
He takes it to car shows.
He cares for it.
Like that car, those who know Jesus have been restored and re-storied. We have a new purpose. We have been restored by God through Jesus, and have been re-storied by Him as well. Where once we lived for ourselves, we now live to tell the story of restoration and to share that story with others. Not because we did anything to be restored, but because Christ did everything to restore usā¦ and His restoration is offered to all, free of charge, and He intends to use us to show the world His restorative power!
And Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10
Restored.
Re-storied.
Itās the best story ever told.
And itās not done being written, yet.
God is always adding new chaptersā¦ and new characters!
Reflection Questions:
1) Where have you seen Godās restoring work in your life?
2) What areas need Godās restoring work today?
How can you live in the ānew storyā that God is telling in and through your life?
3) Who do you know that could use some restoration? How can you show them Godās love this week?
