So lately, I've been thinking about you guys and how each of you seem to have decisions to make about where you will be living next year. What state (or country) you'll be in, who will be your roommates, what kind of house you'll live in, etc....And last week, I was really thinking about the idea of a home. Come with me and take a moment to reflect on what exactly you think a home is...what's it for? Why does it exist? What does it provide for the dwellers of the home? Write that stuff down.
Now, check out Ephesians 3:17. I particularly like the NLT, which says: "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him." Hmm...Christ is making a home in my heart. Interesting, CRAZY stuff.
Take a moment and meditate and pray on that verse. And then, ask God to take you on an imagination adventure through your heart. What does it look like? Who is there? What room is God's?
If you need some inspiration, or you think I'm absolutely insane, check out this link for some reference point (it does require a myspace account to view): A Tour of My Heart. No, this is not my heart, it's just someone I came across the other day and was very intrigued by it.
Anyway, find the silence this week or weekend and go through this exercise. We'll catch up with Galatians next week, most likely. Feel free to post what your heart looks like or tell us about it.
And since most of us will be at the winter retreat this Sunday, we won't be meeting this week. If you will be around on Sunday, go ahead and sit in on the adult class and grab some of their insight.
And of course, know you are loved and prayed for...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Your Heart
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4 comments:
Hm. Interesting thoughts. Home is where the heart is. But in this case, heart is where the home is. When I think of a home, or my home, I realize the responsibilty that is shared by the inhabitants of the home to keep it clean. It is a space that is shared, and so each must do his or her part. Do we keep our heart clean for God, the place where He dwells? And do we let Jesus do some cleaning when it is necessary? I think too often we give Jesus the broom, but then we only let him sweep in the middle of the room, not in the corners where we keep things dark and hidden. My prayer for each of us this weekend is that we will allow God to do a little house cleaning. I'm sure we all have some parts of our hearts that need a little tidying up.
-W2
I'm reminded of an old Billy Joel tune...God in my Ipod..."Wherever we're together, that's my home." I've actually struggled with building this home in my imagination. I know there's a short walk to the beach and there's a porch swing. There is a flow of people in and out. These people are both family, friends and "strangers". There is plenty of food in the frig and music is rolling nonstop. Slipcovers on the furniture...I don't care if you spill. There's a big, lazy, old dog sleeping at my feet (wherever I am). All the laundry is done. It smells like the breeze. Ah, the flowers--they are almost embarrassingly showy. Laughter rings through the rooms. Books, old and new are the only thing that could remotely be accused of causing clutter. Joy is almost tangible. Oh, and there isn't a clock in sight.
I really liked the myspace page description; it was dripping with really awesome imagery. I can definitely relate to the end of the author's house-heart tour. The idea of the rest of my life as an a open unwritten book is somewhat exciting because it could be something incredibly spectacular, but it's also daunting, like what if it's not written for 20 years? I guess though, despite the outcome, that God's plan is always incredibly spectacular. I know for me, that it's easy to say I will wait upon the Lord and be patience in recognizing His timing is perfect, but it's difficult for me to whole-heartily believe that sometimes. I think this posting coincides with the messages from winter retreat very well, with the glow stick activity we did, and letting go of the lies we tell ourselves and turning to God's truth, as W2 put it, "a little house cleaning." Like Donna, I really struggled with imaging my heart as an actual house, as God's residency, and I think that's because I know a lot of times I try to follow my will instead of His and so I feel guilty about the way my heart-house is constructed because some days at some times I don't allow God to be the Lord of the house, the Lord of my heart. I like this topic guys, it's made me think a lot and dive into the truth that God does have plan for me and it's perfect, in resulting outcome and timing. I need to do some revamping of my heart to truly let God have the reigns in His house. I feel like when I stand in that room with the empty frames and the unwritten book and long for there to be pictures and for the book to be written, that God stands besides me, gives me a warm loving hug, and pats me on the back saying, "In due time, in due time Sarah. I love you and this book will be written, but all in due time. Walk by faith with me, and I will show you the way."
donnie...besides the beach and clock part, that does sound like your house now!
sarah, man, your thoughts were amazing! i'm with you on the struggle to let God write my story, decorate my house, bring in who he wants to...ahhh, sweet surrender.
my house. well, i know me and Jesus roll up to it on a two seater bike, well, that's just cuz thats how we roll. we walk up the sandy path, passing some dunes and then up a few stairs to a small bungalow with natural shingle siding that is worn into that beachy gray. we walk in, its clean, comfortable, lived in and real. Jesus' name is not on the mailbox, yet everyone who comes in knows he lives there because of the goodness and love. john and Jesus reside there and have rooms, while many others come to visit. the back of the house backs up to the ocean, with doors wide open...open to the mystery, the vastness, the greatness of God.
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