Instagram must know that I’m thinking about making changes in my kitchen. I see quite a few transformational pictures of remodeled rooms coming across my newsfeed. I must say, the before and after photos are amazing. One designer painted her kitchen cabinets gray. She shares how she knows that it’s not the trendy color that is raving right now, but she loves it.

The words displayed across her newly painted kitchen caught my attention –

“Don’t get caught up in the trends. Do what you love.”

More than remodeling a room, this is a beautiful lesson for our hearts.

Don’t get caught up in what is popular. What if popular is not where Jesus is taking you? Follow your heart. Do what you love.

While I’m not much of a trendsetter, I can get lost in comparing myself to those who are trendy or to what is supposed to be trendy in my home. When we start looking at what everyone else is doing, we lose our focus on who we are.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Proverbs 4:25

When we choose to look to Jesus, keeping our gaze straight ahead, we will see the desires He has just for us. The trends fade away in the distance, allowing us to focus on what matters.

If we’re looking at what is popular, we can miss the fulfillment of the desires of our hearts. Sometimes, we may sway toward a purpose that fits into someone else’s plans or what seems to make the most sense to us.

Jesus doesn’t want us to get focused on what’s popular. He wants our authentic selves. That’s when He can use us best.

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Find joy in Jesus, and He will lead you to what your heart desires. Trendy is usually not the heart’s way. The true desires within that are from Him is the way.

Do what you love. Do what Jesus is stirring deep within your soul.

We’re not always going to be or have the popular, but during Jesus’ ministry on earth, He wasn’t popular either. While Jesus ministered, many people were quick to throw insults. Many sought Jesus because of His healing power, but some still questioned Him because He didn’t follow the rules of the Sabbath. Despite what was unpopular, Jesus served compassionately, His eyes focused on the Father.

Turn off the voices of the trendsetters and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Listen to your heart. What has the Father God planted deep within your heart? Listen for what you love, and seek after it.

If I don’t listen to the Father, I will be easily swayed toward the trendy. But as I pause to listen to what God has created for me and is stirring within my heart, I know He is pointing me toward a different, greater path.

When I set out to remodel my kitchen, trendy or not, I’ll choose what I love. And more importantly, I’ll choose Jesus’ way.

Trendy is not always the heart’s way.