Years ago, the little booklet “My Heart, Christ’s Home” challenged me to move from viewing Christ as a guest in my heart to giving Him full ownership and control of my life. One morning I woke up with that analogy on my mind.
I thought about my literal house as a picture of my soul. I imagined how my priorities might clash with His if He came to help me bring order to my home.
Here is my imagined conversation with Christ:
“Let’s attack the front porch. Everyone sees it. We can power wash and freshen the paint for instant impact,” I said.
Christ shook His head and looked in the direction of my desk.
“No one sees my desk,” I pushed back.
“But you spend a lot of time there,” He said. “Your life will flow better if you cleaned out the distractions and organized your priorities.”
“My desk overwhelms me,” I whined. “I don’t know how to bring order to it.”
“Will you let me help you?” His warm eyes sparkled.
I wanted order, and He’d offered to help. I nodded my yes.
We dove in together. He held up papers and asked what I planned to do with the thoughts listed. We laughed and compiled heaps to be filed and tossed. The tedious task flew by as we worked together. He helped me separate the useful from the useless.
The work from my desk flowed the following weeks with ease. Jesus was right. Even though no one saw my desk, they sampled the work that came from it.
“Are we ready to tackle the porch?” I asked one morning.
“I’d like to see your pantry.”
“My pantry? No one sees the pantry. The porch is front and center.” When I saw He wasn’t bending I asked, “Could we at least talk about new window treatments for the family room?”
Jesus smiled and said, “I thought you wanted more energy. Let’s look at what you’re eating.”
I groaned but accompanied Him to the space. He zeroed in on a shelf of brownie and cake mixes.
“For company,” I stammered. “Look at these,” I pointed to a box of vitamins.
He held up a bottle. “Expiration date: 2002.”
“Uh, did you see my cookbooks?” I whispered.
He thumbed through one, and I noticed that only the dessert section showed use…
Back to Real Life
As I imagined this exchange, I realized my project list tackled areas other people would see and appreciate. I wanted my efforts to show. But my Lord wants better. He wants me to prosper. He addresses my weak spots, not to shame me but to free me, so I will soar.
God wants me to prosper. He addresses my weak spots, not to shame me but to free me, so I will soar. @DebbieWWilson #RechargeWednesday Click To TweetWhy would I settle for a spiffy renovation when I can experience lasting transformation?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2 NLT).
How might inviting Christ to overhaul your heart improve your life?
How might inviting Christ to overhaul your heart improve your life? @DebbieWWilson #RechargeWednesday, #GodHelps Click To TweetThis post first appeared on DebbiewWilson.com
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Debbie,
I can truly relate to your analogy! We all want to fix up the front porch – the outward appearance, but Jesus is more concerned about our heart. I can tend to be a clutterbug. I think Jesus would want to help me clear out the unneeded clutter and live more simply. I can focus better if there aren’t so many things trying to claim my attention. I can hear the conversation already 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I agree. I want the simple life, but it takes a lot of work to stay on top of even email! But I flourish when things are in order. Thanks for your thoughts.
So much wisdom here, and it encourages me to persevere in trusting Him to ransack every room!
I cleaned out a lot, Michele. But somehow it still keeps multiplying like weeds!
Debbie, such a good analogy! The Lord wants to uncover those things hidden in our hearts so that we are able to grow and thrive in Him. May we let Him have His way as He undertakes transforming our lives. Blessings!
Thank you, Joanne. From the heart flow the issues of life.
Debbie-
This analogy is so helpful. Thank you for wise insight and gentle conviction to prioritize lasting transformation.
Thank you, Bethany.
I love this post Debbie. I am always decluttering but we do tuck stuck stuff away, trying to keep the living room clean. And my desk? You’ve got me on that. I have been writing about our hearts being like the mercy seat now that Christ is there, we really do need to live in Him as He does in us, our hearts are troubled when we don’t leave room for Him.
That is so true, Rebecca. If we allow clutter to crowd Him out we suffer the consequences.
“He addresses my weak spots, not to shame me but to free me, so I will soar.” That’s a beautiful perspective that we all need to have! Thanks, Debbie.
Thank you, Lisa.
Oh my, how I love this post!
You got right to the heart of the matter in a way we can all relate to. So powerful! My desk and pantry sure need some attention now! (both figuratively and literally!)
And this was so good: “He wants me to prosper. He addresses my weak spots, not to shame me but to free me, so I will soar.”
AMEN!!
Happily tweeted and pinned to read again!
Thank you Rebecca. And yes, my desk and pantry literally and figuratively also need constant attention.
Such a creative and convicting post, Debbie. I, too, often just want to order and organize what others see…the appearance of things for appearance sake! 🙂 I pray to loosen my heartstrings and let Christ have His way.
Karen, I love how Jesus gently but firmly guides us.