The Blueprint … I once read that the principles of design have been in existence for many centuries, and elements of design were not invented but discovered, and skillfully incorporated and balanced by artisans and designers over the course of history. If discovered, then they preexisted! Can the academic design principles and elements used today be a consequence of the preexisting principles and elements of old? So we can conclude the principles and elements of design were originated by God at his creation… the compass for your divine designs today. Nothing exists that he did not make (John 1:3, TAB).

Point One. The Space.
–According to Genesis 1:1–2a, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. This tells us that God located the problem—chaos, described as empty and formless. By his own will he decided to design (NLT).

Divine Design Tip:
Beginning with an empty room—the space—this becomes the blank canvas, so your senses are not influenced by the fabric already occupying it. Here is where you can identify what you are working with.

While paying close attention to the condition of floors, walls, doors, ceilings, and windows, you will notice how light enters the space and how users enter and exit. You will see how traffic flows—how users move about. Then the strengths and weaknesses in the space will be revealed to you. Here’s the opportunity to transform any weaknesses to work in your favor.

Point Two. The Vision.
–Having a vision for your designs is very important. You have the creative ability to look farther than you can see. According to Genesis 1:3–4, “Then God said, let there be light, and there was light … then he separated the light from the darkness” (NLT). God’s first divine command begins the process of transforming the chaos as a means of bringing about life and order, in other words, “Let there be order.”

Divine Design Tip:
All things begin with a thought translated into an image. Whatever your thoughts are behind your designs should be written down. Recording your every thought and collecting ideas for inspiration about your spaces, no matter how inconsequential they may appear, gives birth to the vision for the continuation of bringing order out of chaos. Afterwards you can share the vision with the other users. Now they can grab hold of your vision and share in the excitement of its planning. (Habakkuk 2:2, KJV)

Point Three. The Plan.
–Adventure in design can be looking to express the godly ways we desire to live and the ways we desire to design for the King. This requires thinking about how we actually live each day. According to Genesis 1:6a, 8a, “Then God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters … and God called the firmament heaven … ” (KJV). Apparently God separated the waters of the earth from waters of heaven, and then he expanded the atmosphere over the space.

Divine Design Tip:
Atmosphere was obviously very important to God. He found need to divide and separate some things in order to expand his space and create a heavenly atmosphere. This tells us we must separate from some things in our living environments so that a heavenly atmosphere can reside. So the question is how?
By separating from worries about all the things we have to do and all the things we want to get. The stress and anxiety strangles the spiritual orders we’ve heard, and nothing spiritual results from it (Mark 4:19, MSG).

What this means to me when planning our space we must create a setting where the Holy One desires to abide. The Holy Spirit enjoys a place where he feels at home—a place absent of strife, confusion, and physical evidence of worldly lusts; a place where spiritual orders fill our thoughts, direct our conversations, and determine our actions. Now we are creating an atmosphere for bringing sanctuary and peace in our living environments.
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If these three points speak to your heart, leave a comment and do share this with others. Much much more on this topic is in my new book, Designing for the King. You may order your copy below. Let’s Talk.

Sharing my Passion,

Deana