“Time for New Windows”

Home improvement shows have my attention. I’m one of those viewers that is inspired by the radical changes that are applied to a living space. After all, home is your place of sanctuary … where you can scruff around in your jammies all day with a messy bun without applying a stroke of mascara … and feel safe, secure and comfy.

It wasn’t until recently that I developed a deeper appreciation of my home … my dwelling … my place of comfort. For over four decades, I had been on the go. I’ve worked even throughout the busiest of motherhood years, managing this duality of personhood (if I can say that) to make sure all my bases were covered.

As I find myself more at home these days, I’m on the move with vacuum cleaner tools, Swiffer dusters, disinfectant solutions … you name it. My family says that I’ve disrupted the ecological balance of the dust bunnies and the ambitious spiders that keep wanting to take up residence in our house.

Our house is small but we have made sure there is a lot of opportunity for natural light to permeate the high traffic areas. And that’s where I noticed some issues.

The dirt and soot from the outside obscures the view from the inside. I’m talking even with my prescription eyewear on — it’s still not a good view of things from the inside.

But blessed [spiritually aware and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears because they hear. Matthew 13:16 AMP

Sister, in order for us to understand the deeper things of the written Word of GOD, we must commit to studying and living it out in our personal lives. Putting to practice these two behaviors helps to keep our view of whatever is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable in front of us, rather than the obscure and smeared view that the world has to offer.

I have found that whenever I am feeling off kilter, or out of sorts, uneasy … it’s time for an internal inventory of what is happening in the unseen spiritual realm.

• Am I neglecting the care of my relationship with the Lord?
• Has my prayer life fallen to priority 2-3-4 …?
• Have I replaced the study of GOD’s Word with temporal activities?

While the findings are embarrassing, GOD is forgiving and faithful to build me back up. Just as I remove the smudges and grime off the windows of our house, cleaning up my perspective requires a cleaning of my view from the inside first. If what I continue to see is still undesirable, I have to pray that the Holy Spirit will focus my lens on the things of greater importance and leave the rest to the Father.

It’s no secret that we live in a fallen world and will disagree with arguments and debates that are happening all around us.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matthew 6:22-24 NLT

Jesus warned us to keep out evil by guarding what we set our sights on. In this manner, the eyes are the windows to the soul. What we let in, will permeate our entire being and cause us to either glorify GOD or lead us down a path of destruction.

So my question to you today is this: “Is the view from your windows occluded and cloudy, or is it full of light illuminating your entire living space?”

I can guarantee you that GOD is faithful to the one who will seek Him and deny the world and its false promises of fulfillment. But while I cannot guarantee that all will be easier, it will be better.

Just as I am on a quest to clean out my dust bunnies, I am also working to keep my windows clear of any obstructions, smears and grime. The windows of my heart are intended to allow the Light of the Spirit to flow through me and outward to a dying world; not to fight for space among dirt and darkness.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37 ESV

Sometimes we need a new ‘design’ to our windows — shutters, tint or even indoor window treatment — to help filter out what needs to remain out.

I cannot tell you how much I regret not having done this earlier in my life. But I can tell you, Girlfriend, that it’s totally okay to say, ‘no’ to an offer of something that is offensive to GOD. At the end of the day, you stand accountable only to Him.

Time is irreplaceable — once it’s spent, it’s gone. So I choose to spend my time on things that are priceless and of high value — eternal value. And when I look back on my now choices of what is filtered out as not being necessary for me, it makes remaining within the Will of GOD that much easier. Worthless things only take away from my life and do not compare to the life-giving priceless treasures from the Hand of GOD.

For those of us who need to replace their windows, please remember to insulate well with a good sealant — the Holy Spirit. It will prevent the pollution from sneaking in.

Sister, I encourage you to go there … in the deep places of your soul … and see if there is anything that you would not want the Lord to cast light upon. That’s what relationship is about: transparency, honesty and trust.

Being fully transparent before the Lord allows for you to have that intimacy with Him. Your communion with Him builds that trust — confident trust — that you know He will never leave you or forsake you. He loves you so much. He has no intention of walking away from you. Ever.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary