More Than a Side Hobby
Most people know me as a pastor, but some may not know I also have a deep interest in real estate. I’ve always been fascinated by the process of finding a property, seeing its potential, and turning it into something of lasting value. Whether it’s flipping a fixer-upper, managing rentals, or studying the market, real estate has taught me a lot, not just about properties, but about people, priorities, and, surprisingly, holiness.
As I’ve walked with Jesus and grown in spiritual maturity, I’ve realized that spiritual formation has a lot in common with real estate. Holiness isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s not flashy or fast. It’s a long-term investment. It’s a renovation project. And it’s not about perfection, it’s about process.
Every Life Is a Property
In real estate, one of the most important things is being able to see beyond the surface. A property might be outdated or neglected, but a trained eye sees the bones. The structure. The potential. That’s exactly how God sees us.
Holiness starts with realizing that God isn’t afraid of our mess. He’s not looking for a polished exterior. He’s looking for a willing heart. The Bible says we are “God’s workmanship”, His masterpiece in progress. Like a good investor, God sees what we can become through His grace, not just where we are right now.
Too often, we try to “stage” our lives to look holy from the outside. But God isn’t buying appearances. He wants access to the foundation. He wants to gut what’s rotten, reinforce what’s weak, and rebuild what’s broken. That’s holiness—it’s the ongoing work of letting the Holy Spirit have full access to the property of our hearts.
Renovation Requires Surrender
If you’ve ever done a home renovation, you know that demo day is exciting, but it’s also messy and loud. It exposes things you didn’t expect: faulty wiring, mold behind the walls, or years of neglect hidden under a fresh coat of paint. Renovation requires tearing out what’s not working before you can rebuild.
In the same way, growing in holiness means letting God get beneath the surface. And let me tell you when God starts doing heart renovation, it can get uncomfortable. He brings things to light. He shows us the pride, the fear, the unforgiveness we’ve tucked away. But He doesn’t do this to shame us, He does it to heal us. To rebuild us on something solid.
Holiness is not behavior modification. It’s not about trying harder. It’s about surrender. It’s about saying, “God, I want You to shape every part of my life, not just the front porch.”
Invest in What Lasts
In real estate, you learn quickly that not all investments are wise ones. Some things look appealing at the moment but lose value fast. Others require patience and foresight but pay off in the long run. The same is true in our spiritual lives.
Holiness calls us to invest in what lasts: character, integrity, faith, and love. It means prioritizing the long game. Our culture values instant gratification; quick wins, fast results, immediate feedback. But God builds slowly and deeply. His work for us is eternal.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3 about how each of us is building a life, some with gold and precious stones, others with wood, hay, and straw. One day, the fire will test what we’ve built. Are we investing in things that will endure? Or are we throwing up quick fixes that look good for now but won’t stand?
Location Matters
Another real estate principle: location is everything. A beautiful house in the wrong neighborhood can be a bad investment. Likewise, a solid spiritual life requires being rooted in the right environment. Who we surround ourselves with, what we listen to, where we go for advice, all of it matters.
If we want to grow in holiness, we need to stay close to the presence of God. We need to be planted in a local church. We need relationships that sharpen us, not just validate us. Holiness doesn’t grow in isolation. It grows in community, accountability, and constant connection with Christ.
Let the Architect Lead
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned both in real estate and in my walk with God, is the importance of trusting the blueprint. In construction, the architect knows what the final product is supposed to look like. The contractor may not always see the full picture, but he trusts the plan.
God is the Master Architect of our lives. He’s not guessing. He knows what we’re becoming. Even when it feels like progress is slow, even when life doesn’t look how we imagined, He’s still building something beautiful. We just have to keep saying “yes” to the next step.
Psalm 127 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” That verse reminds me that all my striving and self-effort means nothing unless God is the one leading the work. Holiness begins and ends with Him.
Keep Building
You don’t have to be a real estate expert to understand the spiritual parallels. Each of us is a work in progress, a holy construction zone. And that’s okay. Holiness is not about having it all figured out. It’s about letting God renovate our hearts day by day, season by season.
So keep building. Keep surrendering. Keep investing. And above all, keep trusting the Architect. Because when He’s in charge, you can be sure the final product will be something far greater than you could ever imagine.