That’s me. My identity for years. It’s where I found my worth. It was an unusual vocation 30+ years ago for a woman, and that’s probably at least part of the reason I did it. At one point, I purchased an old home and replaced all 22 windows on my own (I had “help” for one and promptly fired him!). I replaced and added cabinets, added electrical, and replaced porch columns. There were countless little things to fix, including repairing plaster walls (yes, plaster, NOT sheetrock). Painting the interior. Replacing sinks and fixtures.

I was proud of the work I did.

I’m in another old house now. A 1915 farmhouse that was remodeled out of all it’s charm before I bought it. I’m frustrated with myself because my 72 yo body won’t cooperate with my mind and do the things I want done.

What does any of this have to do with anything?

It’s a strong reminder that this world is not permanent. We humans grow old and die. The earth and the heavens are not permanent, either. “Climate change” is a scam the enemy of mankind, Satan, is perpetuating to pull people’s attention away from the reason earth will cease to exist. It’s not because of humans or animals or even manufacturing. It all goes down to sin and the evil unleashed by the enemy. God tells us in His Word that the earthwill cease to exist.

Hebrews 1:10-12 NASB1995
[10] And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; [11] They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, [12] And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” (https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.1.10-12.NASB1995)

I might have the ability through the gifts GOD gave me to envision and fix things, but it is only in Jesus Christ that my spirit can be “fixed,” changed through His Blood. My work here is temporary. No matter how good of a job I do, it will perish along with this world. Nothing I can possibly do is good enough to last forever.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.2.8-9.NASB1995)

For years I tried to convince myself that what I did defined me. I still struggle with that. The majority of humanity is the same. Our work and our appearance is the most important thing ….. But it’s not. Almost everyone has heard of John 3:16, but read the following verses.

John 3:14-21 NASB1995
[14] As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; [15] so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. [16] “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. [18] He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. [20] For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.3.14-21.NASB1995)

I’m not religious. My job in life doesn’t matter. What I AM does matter. The only identity we need is that of Believer. Christ follower. It doesn’t matter how good, ethical, decent, righteous, honest, moral, or just we are. If you/I haven’t accepted Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who died on a cross and was resurrected on the third day, and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD AMIGHTY, as your personal Savior, acknowledging your sinful being …. you and I are lost, looking at an eternity in hell.

It’s that simple. I believe it. Do you?

1 Peter 1:3 NASB1995
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.1.3.NASB1995)