The Greatest Designer

 

The message theme at Simonka last night was “Allowing God to Run Your Life”. I looked in my poems for a piece that would fit, and ended up doing what seems to have become the norm for me: writing a new one instead. Once again I finished it a mere half hour before sharing it with the ladies at the shelter! It is about how the Lord renovates our life, if we let Him…

“The Greatest Designer”

God won’t barge into your heart, He gently knocks,
then waits for us to answer the door of our soul,
look through the peephole and unlatch the locks,
to invite Him inside, and grant Him control.
I can tell how God works in myself and others:
Turning each shack into a cozy home,
working closely with sisters and brothers
who no longer call their lives their own.
We joyfully share about each renovation:
He brings hope to every room and closet:
Exposing our flaws with truth’s illumination,
sins He already knew, but still paid the deposit!
God redecorates lives in the brightest hues,
knowing best how our heart, Christ’s home
can function fully, as daily we choose
to let it truly become His throne.
So that’s the choice you have this day:
To back away from the threshold in pride,
or open your heart’s door and humbly pray
for the greatest Designer to step inside.
You won’t regret it, though change is pain,
great peace and love fills each space,
as He restores every tile and window pane
we’ll change the neighborhood by His grace!

5-20-18
©Ladeena Ashley

While writing that poem, in my mind was playing an older Christian song by Shaun Groves entitled “Welcome Home”. In it, he sings about opening up the door of his heart so that God, by His Spirit, can help him make changes in his life. Our bodies are but the outside packaging, but our heart and souls are where we “live” and where, from the abundance within, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). We must guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). If we don’t have our inner lives in order, everything outside will be thrown into chaos.

Over the last few weeks since the divorce, I’ve been praying about how to move on, and what is really important enough for me to have in my life. In complete surrender to the Lord, I’ve asked for wisdom, and am trusting that He will help me make healthy changes so that how I spend my time and resources will be more honoring to Him.

When invited, the Lord helps to organize and protect the good, while giving us strength to toss things that aren’t necessary. The hard part is, He needs full access to every nook and cranny, every dark and dusty corner, in order for us to have the full measure of joy that He promises as we submit to Him (John 15:1-11). It’s not easy, but we must allow God to show us where and how to make changes, even painful ones, in order to follow Him more closely.

Of course, daily prayer and time in the Word is essential to keeping ourselves open to the Lord and His perfect designs for our life. I often pray this verse: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

My prayer for you as well as for myself, is that we keep the doors, windows and closets of our hearts open to the moving of the Spirit and the light of the Son, so He can transform us inside and out!

The greatest Designer, the God who created the universe, loves you so much! You can trust in His design for your life, because He is good and what He has planned is infinitely more fulfilling than anything you can ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:9). I know from experience that the more I fellowship with Him, allowing Him to “have the run of the place” in my life, the stronger, more hopeful, joyful and more at peace I am.

Is your heart’s door open?

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
All Rights Reserved (Blog content and photos)

Heavenly Investments: Trading Good For Best

Labor Day weekend is upon us – a chance to squeeze in that last bit of fun and yes, hopefully some rest as summer winds down. My initial thought was: just what is it we’re resting from? Certainly for some, as a new school year begins, cumulative hours will be spent shuttling kids, attending games and events. For others, thoughts simply turn to fall activities such as sports, hunting and preparing for another holiday (!) season. It really all comes down to priorities and time management, which is a year-round struggle. So many activities vie for our valuable attention that it’s no wonder we need to be reminded to rest.

Priorities

It’s all too easy to over-commit, overdo and volunteer yourself into a frenzy…sometimes even to impress people who you may not truly like that much! Before jumping headlong into multiple commitments, consider this: you cannot draw water from an empty well. Sooner or later all that enthusiasm and energy will be depleted if you say yes to most everyone. A simple, healthy approach to life’s “should do”, “could do”, and supposedly “must do” enterprises: pray about each opportunity or responsibility, reevaluating what’s truly important to you. The roles you assume and even hobbies and other labors of love you enjoy are indeed good, but perhaps may not the best use of your talents that God has in mind for you. So, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8), guiding you towards what will most further His kingdom and purposes. I’ve personally found that prioritizing my time affords more margin for Heavenly Investments: praying, reading His Word, and just listening. I love the phrase “put God in the center and everything else will come together”. Over and over I’ve seen that it’s true.

True Rest

Okay, so we’ve set healthy boundaries by actively seeking God’s will…now back to the subject of resting. For me, to simply “Be still and know that He is God” (Psalms 46:10) is as essential and life-giving as breathing. That verse is also a loving command, a call to self-discipline for our own good, because He loves us and doesn’t want us to miss out on blessings because we’re tired. For some with physical challenges (even fairly minor ones like mine), it’s even more imperative to “unplug” and take a breather from life’s demands. If I wait until I’m running on fumes, I know I’ve lost my balance and need to refocus from doing to just “being”.  My own worst taskmaster, I must remind myself to not only draw liberally on His strength to labor, but then also rest in His love to recharge.

Nature: Just Breathe

One way I relax is by taking several mini-breaks outdoors in nature. It keeps my heart and mind lifted upward, which both soothes and rejuvenates my soul, no matter the season. I’m looking forward to the changing leaves, but I especially enjoy summer sunsets; their spectacular hues gracing the sky as the evening light diminishes, begging all of us to stop and breathe in His goodness and peace. As you read this poem, my prayer is that through your mind’s eye, your soul catches a glimpse of the awe and wonder I feel everyday, just “being” with Him.

“Sunset”

Gazing upon my garden,
the blooms take on a glow.
I go out to pick a velvet beauty.
As I near the threshold
cool breezes greet me sweetly
–A blushing cloud startles my eyes…
Bright pink, like cotton candy
Then deeper, deeper,
‘til only crimson waves are seen,
Licking up the sky.
Swallows soar, unburned, above
Quiet streets, shadows,
Winging home with dinner.

I forget my cares for now
Taking in God’s handiwork.
A priceless master piece
to be viewed by all…

Slowly, ever so slowly,
Crimson transforms to magenta,
magenta to rose,
rose to apricot,
apricot to plum,
Then plum fades into coal,
Studded with diamonds.

I silently withdraw, though in my heart I fly;
Holding forever the celestial splendor in the sky.

© Ladeena Ashley
February 1992

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:23a

© Ladeena Ashley
2016 All rights reserved. (content & blog photos)