Ok, I’ll admit it; I’m a bit of an HGTV junky!
This is an odd choice of programming for me since I’m not doing any renovations, buying a home, or even own a home. However, I’m constantly amazed by the transformations that take place, fresh starts, and unseen potentials fulfilled on HGTV.
A favorite show of mine is called Divine Design, with designer Candace Olson. She is able to take a wreck of a room, or a room void of vision, and turn it into something spectacular. She sees each room’s potential and envisions what it can be. She tears down walls that are in the way, and then rebuilds them to fit the room’s new purpose. Candace will take the old and worn out and give it new life, strengthen foundations, and gloriously fill an empty space until her vision is completed.
I often wonder what Candace is thinking as she chooses random patterns, colors and textures, that I think can’t possibly end up as anything beautiful. Yet in every episode her creative eye is able to see what I am unable to even imagine. Step-by-step ugliness is replaced by beauty.
Divine Design reminds me a lot of how God sees us. Sometimes we see our life as a wreck, while God still sees what He created. Our worn out way of living has left us feeling hopeless, but God never gives up on our potential (His plan for us). We may think our past will remain a rigid wall that blocks our future, but God is able to do the impossible.
Just as Candace creates amazing rooms out of places that have lost all beauty or function, I can’t help but think of God’s creative and restorative plans for each of us. Did you know God has a divine design for YOU?! As you read your Bible you’ll discover this is true.
- Psalm 139:13 “… [God] created my inmost being; and knit me together in my mother’s womb
- Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you…”
- Matthew 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”
- II Corinthians 5:17 “you are a new creation, the old has gone the new has come”
These statements are promises from God for each and every one of us. He has a divine design that began at our conception; a good design that He desires to see come to completion. He alone is able to revive the broken and worn, restore the neglected, and create something beautiful from an impossible situation. God alone can transform an ugly history, or unique life pattern into something positive, beautiful and pleasing.
Before Candace Olson can complete her divine designs, she must be invited into a home and given access to do the necessary renovations. This ‘carte blanch’ invitation allows her to creatively and wisely rebuild or recreate a space.
We too must extend God an invitation, permission if you will, to enter our life. For a successful ‘renovation’ He needs full control. Even when His plans may not make sense to us, it’s necessary to trust the ‘designer’ and allow Him to do what He’s good at – creating and restoring beauty!
On Divine Design, renovations can often be a long and scary process since the homeowner cannot always visualize the end result. The homeowner could opt to stop the process or interfere with the designer’s goals at any time, however, they would be left with a hodgepodge or mediocre room. Trusting the designer is essential to attaining the perfect divine design!
We are all a Divine Design in progress! We need simply invite the creative genius [God] to complete His plans for our life. [Philippians 1:6 …”he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion”] That’s when we can repeat Candace Olsons episode closing words -“and that’s another divine design”.
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