Insulation

I am quite confident my absolute least favorite construction project is installing insulation. There are a number of trades within construction which require a unique skill set and internal fortitude in being successful at accomplishing the task. Another one of these challenging skill sets is taping sheet rock. I don't mind hanging sheet rock but all of the taping, mudding, and sanding makes for quite a mix and mess. I think my favorite tradesman skill would be finishing millwork and/or trim. There's something exciting about completing a project and seeing the results of all of your hard efforts. By the time you read this article I'm hoping to have completed the needed insulation and cleanup of all of the fiberglass fibers floating around in every part of our home. All of us have experienced the wonderful sensation of having fiberglass find its way underneath your long-sleeve shirt. As much as I try to avoid working with insulation I realize just how valuable it is in the overall completion of a home. I have a cell phone picture of the east portion of my roof where there is currently “limited insulation” and the icicles which are forming on north and south side of the roof are dramatic.

The benefits of proper insulation are too many to number in this short article, but let me point out three benefits of having proper insulation. First, proper insulation reduces the amount of energy consumed by your HVAC system whether for cooling or heating your home. Second, proper installation reduces the outside environmental impact on the inside of your home. Thirdly, proper insulation reduces the long term effect of extreme weather conditions on the outside of your home. By now you are wondering what does this article have to do with eternal significance? The Scriptures are very clear we need to insulate ourselves from the worldly environment that can cause long term damage to our spiritual homes. One of the last prayers of Jesus found in John 17:15 says, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (NIV) I also like how the Message Bible reads, “I’m not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you guard them from the Evil One.” This scripture says to me God is not about isolating us from the world rather he wants to insulate us from the world. There are a number of worldly factors which can affect us on a daily basis, so we need to insulate ourselves from these distractive and destructive forces. The Scriptures also tell us, we are to be in the world but not of the world. One word massively changes the perspective.

Let's look at three spiritual parallels from our three benefits of proper insulation. First, proper spiritual insulation keeps us from being consumed by the things of this world. Secondly, spiritual insulation reduces worldly activities from invading our homes. Thirdly, spiritual insulation helps us stay committed to God's call for our life. We don't want to wear out, rust out, burn out or give out. Let me add one more observation about insulation, more specifically spiritual insulation -- it may not always be pleasant while applying it to our spiritual homes, or we think we are immune to the external factors of life, so we avoid the necessary steps of insulation. What do the scriptures say about this thinking? There is a way that seems right to man but in the end it leads to destruction. Lastly, it reminds me of a pastor who said, sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.