What’s Your Sign?
Did the title confuse you? No, I’m not into horoscopes or astrology. My faith in Jesus Christ eliminates the need to rely on such things. I’m referring to signs, wall hangings, notes and posters that are around you and in your space. I just returned from a trip to Kenya, Africa, where I had the privilege of being at the Light of Hope Home and School for girls. Friends from my church founded this school and ministry back in 2005 and it is now thriving with over 120 girls who have been rescued from lives of extreme poverty, neglect and/or abuse. Here, they are given a high quality Christian education in a safe and secure environment that is full of hope and joy. One of the things that struck me most was the amount of visual reminders–words of hope, encouragement and conviction that are sprinkled about the campus. Along with these inspirational words were academic words and diagrams to reinforce their learning. Almost everywhere I looked I saw something that was worth reading and thinking about. It reminded me of the scripture in Deuteronomy 6:8-9: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
I don’t think my home looks like a Hobby Lobby store or anything, but I have a few wall hangings that speak to me personally and that I believe communicate to others that we are a family of faith in a Holy God through His Son Jesus Christ. We rent our lower level out as an Airbnb and I have just a few items down there that may catch the attention of fellow believers. It has helped us to connect with Jesus followers from around the world who share our faith. Interestingly, we had a mother and adult daughter from New York City visit once and afterward she made a private comment to us in her review that we shouldn’t be pushing our religious beliefs in our Airbnb. I went downstairs to try to view things with a neutral eye. We have three wall hangings that each state one of the words “faith”, “hope” and “love”. And there is a small frame on another wall that contains an old hymnal page. Anything down there really just refers to goodness and virtuosity. There is a Bible available in each bedroom, along with many classic novels. I found her complaint interesting and it actually blessed me because I believe that what was really at work here was truly in the spiritual realm. Something in her spirit was at war with the environment she walked into. I’m OK with that. Immersing my home (the lower level included) in prayer and displaying scripture or other faith-filled decor around my home, along with playing Christian music, are all just ways to drive away evil and invite the presence of God. That’s where I want to be.
Of course, just running out to to get some piece of inspirational art to proudly display in your family room is not going to be the magic bullet that transforms your family’s lives. Notice in the paragraph above I mentioned immersing my home in prayer. Have you ever just walked around your house and prayed aloud as you enter each room, inviting the presence of God and rebuking any ungodly spirits who are seeking residence? Does this sound really wierd to you? It did to me at first, too. But, as it says in Ephesians 6:12, “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” I also mentioned Christian music. Even as I am writing this, I have Tasha Layton lyrics filling my space. I believe there are unknown battles being won when my home is filled with words of Godly truth and hope. And we need to speak these words to one another as well.
In that Deuteronomy passage I mentioned earlier, it speaks of tying scriptural truths as symbols on your hands and binding then on your forehead. The Ephesians passage continues in verse 13 saying, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Get the idea? We need to be completely immersed in TRUTH. It needs to speak louder than the lies that this world forces upon us on a daily basis.
So I encourage you all to take a look at your homes. It’s a place to start. What is your sign? 🙂 What do your walls communicate? How about writing out some verses on notecards to have on your mirror? Or on family members’ bedroom doors? If you already have some inspirational art or notecards around, look at them with fresh eyes. Take it all to heart. Sometimes we become blind to things we’ve had around a long time. Maybe it’s time to do a little redecorating. Hey, this might be your chance to justify a Hobby Lobby run! You’re welcome.
