Made By Design

As you drive around the Dallas Fort Worth area you see a lot of buildings that were originally built for one business and now they are something completely different. It is kind of fun to try to figure out what the business used to be before it was sold and remodeled for the business. For instance, just the other day I noticed a Mexican Food restaurant that was originally a Bonanza Steak House. At this point some of you are asking, “What is a Bonanza Steak House?” Well, back in the day it was a restaurant chain started by Dan Blocker who played the part of Hoss Cartwright on the Bonanza television show. There is also a Chinese Buffet place that was once a Red Lobster. Now I personally have a problem with that one. A Chinese food place should look like a Chinese food place. That is by far not the worse use of a former Red Lobster location. For me the funeral home on 635 East that used to be a Red Lobster wins the award for “Worst Use of a Building Formerly Used as a Red Lobster”.

Now there are some remodels that I really like such as the Pantry which used to be a hardware store. As much as I like old hardware stores a restaurant with great “homemade” pies is even better.

What about you? What were you designed to be? You and I were made in the image of God and in His likeness. We were made to glorify the Father in all things. But what exactly were you designed to be by the creator? Maybe a better question is, are you living the way you were designed to live?

I am not talking about your occupation or your job. I am talking about the way you live your life. You see it does not matter if you are a doctor, attorney, chef, teachers, mechanic, plumber, or a professional baseball player. It does not matter if you are a white collar or blue collar or no collar. It does not matter if you are male or female. Over paid or under paid, employed or unemployed or retired. What does matter is this, are you living the way you were designed to live?

This week I just encourage you to dwell on that question and consider God’s purpose for your life. Consider the way in which you live your life. The thoughts you have the words you use, the things you do, the things you don’t do. Consider your whole life, your relationships, your work, your play, your study, and your habits. Is this the life you were designed to live or were you called for something greater?

One of my favorite books for reflection and meditation is, “God is No Fool” by Lois A. Cheney. One of my favorite passages is,

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

If it were just a matter of the mouth,
I wouldn’t have so much trouble,

but it isn’t ,

and I do.

Love God, Go Love Others.