“It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; it takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.” Proverbs 24:3-4
Last year my husband and I moved into a house that needed a little TLC. To date, we’ve spent countless hours repainting and refinishing it in an effort to make it cozier and more reflective of who we are.
One morning last week, as I was laying on the couch starring up at the vaulted ceiling I had spent two full days painting, today’s passage of scripture floated through my mind to challenge me in a very profound way.
I’ve spent hours painting this house, but have I spent hours praying for it?
I’ve poured hours of energy into refinishing this house, but have I poured hours of energy into asking God how He wants to use it?
Who will come over for coffee?
How will our kids be raised?
What kind of marriage will exist in this place?
What kinds of conversations will be shared?
Will joy be felt and peace be found?
Will God’s presence be experienced?
More so, what does God want us to do to help our neighbours?
How can we be a light on our street?
How can we make a difference in this pocket of the world?
Sure, I had a vision of what this house could look like from the very moment we walked through the front door, but God also had a vision for this house the very moment we walked through the front door.
Maybe a house has less to do with decorating it to be more reflective of who we are and more to do with dedicating it to be more reflective of who He is.
More so, if we paint our hearts, minds and souls with the daily wisdom and knowledge that only Christ can color, and if we allow Him to refinish each room of our lives with furnishings that only He can stage, then and only then can our lives drape beautifully with eye pleasing aesthetic.
People say home is where the heart is, but Proverbs tells us heart is where the home is.
