"God loves to decorate. God has to decorate. Let him live long enough in a heart, and that heart will begin to change. Portraits of hurt will be replaced by landscapes of grace. walls of anger will be demolished and shaky foundations restored. God can no more leave a life unchanged than a mother can leave her child's tear untouched. This might explain some of the discomfort in your life. remodeling of the heart is not always pleasant. We don't object when carpenter adds a few shelves, but He's been known to gut the entire west wing. He has such high aspirations for you. God envisions a complete restoration. He won't stop until he is finished....he wants you to be just like Jesus." (Max Lucado)
I came across this reflection by Max Lucado and was unable to put it out of my mind and heart. I sat in quiet reflection tonight at adoration and contemplated on the ways that God has decorated, demolished, refurbished, and continues to remodel my heart. I felt that this message was something I would share as I have truly battled with this process of "decoration" that is constantly taking place within me by the master designer...GOD! I have heard the message of letting God in to every room of my heart and soul repeated by many priests during various homilies. In my opinion this message never seems to grow old and I always need to be reminded of how important it is to allow Him into every nook, cranny, and crevice of my entire being if I truly want Christ to dwell in me. However, as Lucado states this process of change is not always comfortable. And arguably, if we are truly to become like Jesus we can only expect that we too will experience some suffering. As I welcomed the Lord in a deeper way I started to acknowledge and become aware of things within me that no longer worked if I wanted to walk with Christ. Beyond behaviors, I felt called to reflect upon the things that lingered within my heart and soul that prevented the Lord from dwelling there. Initially I thought that I alone would be enough to remove the illness from my soul, as if I was saying to God...... "Thanks for bringing these things to light for me Lord, I'll change it now"....as if to say "I'm in control and will take it from here". I look back now and see myself as foolish. Perhaps at that time I did not realize the way that I had needed God to truly step in, enter every room, reside there, and clean all the muck out. I need to experience the pains of His restoration in order to truly become the person He envisions me to be. I imagine at the end of this restoration process ( if ever it is reached) I will experience a joy like none other. A joy brought on by truly surrendering to the Lord and letting him alone "decorate" upon the canvass of my heart and soul of which He created Himself. Throughout this process fervent prayer, Mass, Adoration, and Eternal focus is very necessary. It is through these that one can find strength to endure the pains that come with this transformation process. Lord tonight I pray that each of us will open our hearts to You and truly let You dwell within. I ask that you replace all of the hurt, anger, pride, jealousy, envy, and resentment with Your love. Forgive us Lord for holding back from You out of fear of discomfort and pain. Forgive us for the times in which we have not dealt Christ like with others due to our own brokenness and need of healing. Help us accept these pains as a means of becoming more like Jesus. Throughout this process of change, if it be Your will give us the clarity to feel Your presence and joy. Lord thank You for loving us so much and for desiring us to become as You envisioned. May we always let You in and may your decorating of our hearts never cease. Amen (C.C.)
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