For the first time in my aspiring writing life, I had my own ‘office’ to work from, but the beige colour on the walls had to go! I promptly picked a paint colour and prepared to transform the room into a creative masterpiece. 

 

As I smeared the paint on the walls, it did indeed transform the look and feel of the room. Yet, despite using a specific tint, I hadn’t accounted for the way the sunlight impacted the hue at various times of the day. There were moments when I loved the colouring, but also panicked ones when I feared I was going to regret ever starting.

 

I have the dubious suspicion that this experience resembles my own relationship with God. Throughout our life we will experience times when God is transforming our inner ‘rooms’, the secret places of our hearts, our minds, and even our desires. 

 

Our initial reaction may fluctuate between delight and confusion—or dare I say, concern—at what we perceive God to be doing. Everything you thought you knew about Him might be challenged as you see Him in a different light.

 

However, it is not God Himself who is changing, but how we perceive Him that does. As we read in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV). 

 

God graciously and generously gifts Himself to us. We begin to see the different facets of His character in a new light as He reveals Himself to us in fresh ways through His Word, by His Spirit, and in His Son. 

 

If you are in the process of some ‘inner redecorating’, don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out exactly how you imagined—be hopeful. Allow God’s light to permeate every nook and cranny, so you can view each timeless truth about the Father with deeper colour and varied tones. Instead of shadows, the nuances of God’s grace, the brightness of forgiveness, and the beauty of His glory will be revealed!