Recently at a gathering of ministers and spouses in our denomination, one of the couples related an incident that broke the group up. I did not ask their permission, so will tell it as I recall it and use fictitious names.

Hank and Trish were visiting overnight in the home of friends. Sometime that evening, the hosts mentioned how unsatisfied they were with the arrangement of the living room. Since Hank and Trish know many things, home decor among them, they looked at each other and proceeded to rearrange the furniture in that room–without so much as “by your leave” from the hosts, who sat there dumbfounded. “There!” they said when finished.

“Apparently,” Hank laughs, “they didn’t like what we did because the next time we visited them, the room had been put back exactly the way it was before.”

Trish adds, “By the way, anytime we come to visit you, you’ll want to have a large furniture dolly handy.”

Funny story.

Now, being both a Christian and a Baptist preacher–they’re not mutually exclusive–I have learned that a story that connects inside me is a sure sign the Holy Spirit is sending one my way. Here’s the application of that little tale.

The meeting we were attending involved denominational leaders on several levels. A major topic concerned cooperation between the various entities in Southern Baptist life–local churches, associations, state conventions, and the national convention with its numerous agencies (seminaries, mission boards, and such).

We look at the way another group is doing their work and, like Hank and Trish, decide we know how their furniture ought to be arranged. Now, we could get up and start moving things around, but the outcome would be as futile as Hank and Trish’s experience. Even if we know best, even if we are experts in what we do and could render our friends a great favor, we need their permission.

The leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention will, let us say, look at the Louisiana Baptist Convention and shake their heads. “If only they would do thus-and-so.” But because of our denomination’s polity, the way we have chosen to organize and govern ourselves, they cannot do that.

They have to get permission.

Then, the leaders of the Louisiana Baptist Convention might turn their attention to one of our associations–ours, for example. “The Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans has too many of this and not enough of that; let’s go down and straighten them out.” But they cannot do that. They have to get permission, otherwise they are as out of line as Hank and Trish were in taking over their hosts’ living room.

Next level. The leaders of our association might look at one of our churches and want to step in and rearrange the furniture. “Riverside Baptist Church could be far more effective if they added this position to their staff and changed the assignment of that other minister to this.”

Can’t do it. Need permission.

But wait, it continues.

The pastors of a church take a look at the lives of members of their congregation and sense that same overpowering urge to step into their homes and rearrange the furniture. “Bob needs to get off that bowling team and spend more time with his teenager. Sue Anne is nagging Bob too much and needs to back off. The family needs more evening meals around the table instead of before the television. Bob needs exercise greater leadership.”

If Bob and Sue Anne were to ask the ministers to visit in their home and make suggestions for improving their lives, that would be one thing. But without such an invitation–without permission–that would be presumptuous, out of line, and counter-productive.

Then, at this point, something hit me hard.

God does the same thing with each of us.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at your door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and will dine with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Even the Lord asks permission.

Some of us may have felt that inviting Jesus in for sandwiches and a glass of iced tea is tantamount to giving him carte blanche to rearrange the furniture. But not so. Not even close.

Even the Lord of Heaven does not barge in and take over and straighten out our lives.

He goes where He is wanted, works where He is given permission, and stays where He has been made welcome.

“Go into a village,” Jesus instructed the disciples, “and stay where you are invited.” He added, “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” (Matthew 10:14)

Matthew 13 records Jesus’ visit to his hometown area where he began teaching and making himself available to his neighbors. The people, however, could not get it in their minds that anyone from our neighborhood could be a prophet of God. The last sentence in that chapter reads, “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”

He would not force his blessings upon his friends. He let them decide.

A few hours before he was arrested, tried, and crucified, Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He saw the fate which was to befall the Holy City in A.D. 70 when the Romans would beseige and then level her, killing her inhabitants.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37)

You were unwilling. It was your choice. I was willing; you weren’t.

Take it one step further.

Even though you invited Jesus Christ into your life to forgive your sins and to save your soul, let’s say, there is far more which needs to be done inside your spiritual house. More furniture needs rearranging.

Jesus Christ is the Master Decorator. “He knows the plans He has for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11) He pulls out the original blueprints and sees what you never knew had been intended for you. He sees what you never imagined, and is willing to remake you into far more than you ever dreamed.

But it’s up to you. “Have thine own way, Lord” is the prayer that invites Him in, that gives Him permission, that makes you available to His purposes.

Praying that prayer every day of your life will turn out to be the smartest thing you ever did.

At every stage of the operation, He asks for your complete compliance and agreement. If at any time, you decide “That’s enough!” and “No more!” the work shuts down.

I can’t get out of my mind a similar arrangement God offered His people back in the days of Isaiah the prophet. That would be the 8th century B.C.

“‘If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ Truly the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:19-20)

Sometimes people complain about all the evil in the world and wonder why God allows it to continue. The short answer to that puzzle is that in creating man, God did not make him as a windup toy to do only as he was programmed and nothing else. God paid mankind the ultimate compliment and gave us minds to choose and the freedom in which to operate.

The evil in the world today is the result of man’s terrible choices. Just as the good results from his right choices and the blessings of God as a consequence.

“Choose you this day.” (Joshua 24:15)

As I write, last night, the ABC network broadcast a two-hour presentation of “Extreme Makeover” which highlighted the rebuilding work this program’s team of workers and volunteers did in New Orleans a couple of months ago. Noah’s Ark Baptist Church, where Willie Walker is the pastor, received a new building complete with sparkling new furniture and tons of supplies. The most striking thing about the entire program came when they showed photographs of Noah’s Ark after Katrina. Floodwaters had melted the carpet and ruined the pews and destroyed the walls. It looked like a bomb had gone off inside. And now, look at it. The contrast is like night and day.

There’s a lot to be said for extreme makeovers.