I have been a strong supporter of not having a television in the bedroom. In fact, when I do my last pre-marriage (or marriage enrichment) counseling session, I teach that the bedroom is not for computers, televisions or sewing machines. Its purpose is exclusively for the double S (you can work that one out). Having said all that and having practiced it for years, we now have a television in the bedroom. The main reason is that when I’m busy in the study, Jenny can occupy herself watching her favorite shows like Border Control or Dr. Phol.
At present, it is placed on a chest of draws … and in a way, in the wrong place. Over a period of time, we have been discussing where we should put the television. On this wall or that wall or … and Jenny, almost jokingly said, “Put it in the cupboard.” Each of us has a built-in wardrobe … but there is another built-in wardrobe. It is a single door with shelving … and above this is another small door (.755m x .450m). Maybe this was intended to store small cases, but it is the ideal size for the television! As we played this around in our minds, we decided that the best place to fit this television would be inside of the door. When the door is closed you see nothing. When you open the door you see the TV. With the door opened completely the television is at the right angel so that from the bed it can be seen perfectly.
There are a few things required to do this. The first is we needed an electrical plug in the cupboard at the top … so I ran a lead from the study, through the wall, up from the lower cupboard to the top one and fitted a plug there. Then we needed the aerial, which comes through the ceiling to be re-routed into the cupboard. This will require getting into the ceiling, pulling up the cables and, after making a hole, pushing it into the cupboard at the top. This still needs to be done, and even then we are not good to go yet.
The hinges of that small door are strong enough, but the screws are too weak to hold the television and the door, so I removed the door today. The idea is to make a square tubing fitting that follows the inside frame of the door and bolt the door / tubing frame to the hinges. To do this, I needed to remove the back panel of the door. It was glued down and, after managing to loosen the panel from the frame, I realized that this door (hollow), had cardboard pieces (like snakes from side to side and top to bottom. Both the front and back panels were glued to these ‘snakes’. The only way to remove the back panel was to break it out. To ensure strength, I re-glued the top section of the frame. Tomorrow, I’ll fabricate the square tubing frame with supports where I can secure the television to. Hopefully, the rest of the operation will go smoothly (especially getting into the ceiling!).
This whole procedure might seem quite laborious and perhaps even unnecessary … but then, Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith used to say after a successful A-Team operation, “I love it when a plan comes together”, and so do I.
I am certain God ‘loves it when a plan comes together’. He not only created us:
Ps 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. …
But He also gifted each one of us with natural gifts, education and a spiritual gift mix:
Ro 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. …
When we use the gifting God has provided us with, the Proverb becomes true:
Pr 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
This means that innovation and creativity will be seen and used by those who appreciate it. Look at it like this: there are natural tasks to perform in the home; there are career tasks to exercise at work; there are educational tasks to fulfill at school and university; there are societal takes to exercise in the community and there are spiritual tasks to fulfill in the Kingdom of God. God loves it when a plan comes together!
Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I am certain this would cover the spiritual and the practical.
Ex 35:31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.
Even though this is physical and practical, its foundation is spiritual.
1Ti 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Primarily, this refers to the spiritual, but not neglecting your gifting must apply to the physical and practical too.
Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Laziness has no place in the Kingdom of God. Because what we do is for the Lord (“working for the Lord, not for men”) we work hard (“work at it with all your heart”). God has gifted and equipped each of us to service Him in physical and practical ways as well as in spiritual ways. We are His workmanship, created to do good works … we are filled with the Spirit, with skills, abilities and knowledge, so we don’t neglect our gift, we work hard with all our hearts because we service our Lord Jesus!
Dear God, thank You for gifting me in such abundance with everything ability needed to serve You in my home and family, in my schooling, at work, in society and especially in Your Kingdom. Help me to be faithful. Amen.