Preparing a room: “Behold I stand at the door and knock!”
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” – Revelation 3:20
This morning’s post is low key and invitational (I guess this blog is always an invitation, into my thinking processes and my soul…). I thought I would introduce you all to the space where I do most of my writing. Or at least, now that my study has been partially rehabilitated, mess-wise.
By “mess” I mean the overload of paper and books and notes and bills and correspondence on top of my desk, the mountain of books and general note-taking debris plus some music all over the floor, bookshelves spilling over, closet not quite shutting, grandchild paraphernalia, and various hard-to-categorize disorganization pretty much everywhere.
I’m not sure how I managed to get into such a state but there I was, slowly losing touch with my study. How could I expect to make progress on some of my book-length projects if I couldn’t find the surface of my desk?
So it took doing my taxes (at the last-minute, of course) to get the piles started, and after that it was a matter of keeping the ball rolling. Next up will be literally hauling everything out and starting over from scratch with a design plan that helps me be more efficient. I promise to document that process when it happens.

What is my point? My point is that I am called to a writing ministry where prayer, meditation, and contemplation are a necessary part of the process. Otherwise I am simply tooting my own horn rather than sharing the good news of the Gospel of light and love.
A welcome space for God?
My inner being operates according to some of the same principles; when there is too much clutter, distraction, overt busyness, excessive messiness, or simply an overwhelm of triviality – it all contributes to an unfocused center and an environment ill suited to engage with Creator God.

I’m not saying that my personal study space kept God at arm’s length, but I am saying that my my soul, my spiritual center, often looks a lot like my office, and that I find it helpful to imagine the environment I am inviting God into and to – thoughtfully – prepare a space where The Divine Presence does not feel like an afterthought.
“I’d have you hang out with me, and talk over coffee or a meal Lord,” I say, “but as you can see there’s really nowhere to sit down and visit.”
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” – Revelation 3:20
Peace y’all. I’ll “see” you in church. Rebekah is preaching on hope!
https://m.facebook.com/wfpres/
faith relationships The Church writing life featured open the door Revelation 3:20 stand and knock writing study
derekmaul View All →
Derek has published seven books in the past decade (you can find them at https://www.amazon.com/Derek-Maul/e/B001JS9WC4), and there’s always something new in the works.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Derek taught public school in Florida for eighteen years, including cutting-edge work with autistic children. He holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and education from Stetson University and the University of West Florida.
Derek is active in teaching at his church: adult Sunday school, and a men’s Bible study/spiritual formation group. He enjoys the outdoors, traveling, photography, reading, cooking, playing guitar, and golf.
Our church in Greer, St. Giles PC, offers Sunday service on line. How could I see yours?
Reg
LikeLike
https://m.facebook.com/wfpres/
LikeLike
Great post 😁
LikeLike