1 Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit
dwells in your midst?
Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
I'm fascinated by this truth—when a house is abandoned, it falls in to disrepair.
As my husband and I drove around the city, we noticed so
many abandoned homes. It was sad to see places that once housed people in such
poor repair. I thought about the laughter, shared meals, and life that once
dwelled there. Kind of like a person who loved God then turned away from him. An
emptiness of neglect fills the space.
HGTV and other channels are filled with television shows
about restoring neglected and dilapidated houses. On Maine Cabin Masters, the
carpenters restore cabins for folks who want a safe and beautiful place to
relax. At the beginning of each episode, we see the damage done by animals,
rot, and time. Chase Morell and his team of Mainers start with demo day where
they strip the house down to the bones, and remove all the nastiness. Before
they can start the remodel, they reset the foundation and make sure the house
is secure. Once that's finished, they transform the place into a lovely,
livable space.
1 Corinthians reminds me my body is God's temple, or his home.
Like a house, my body can fall into disrepair. Maybe I haven't taken care of my
physical needs. I'm sick and don't seek the proper care, or I fail to exercise
like I should. I'll feel the effects of the neglect. What if I haven't taken
time to keep myself mentally alert or healthy? My anxiety causes me to worry.
What if I ignore my spiritual needs or step away from God into sin? My soul feels
abandoned and empty. When that happens, I'm broken and distraught.
When I suffer from spiritual neglect, I first need to restore
my relationship with God, seek forgiveness and rebuild my spiritual foundation.
Without a firm foundation the house will crumble and fall. Jesus, the one who
shores me up, gives me a solid base. Through Bible reading and prayer, the Holy
Spirit speaks to my soul with wisdom and understanding. God secures my
foundation, and I fill up with his rare and beautiful treasures. His hope and
grace pour into the spaces of what was once an empty, desolate place. God wants
to dwell in his temple with the people He loves.
Invite God to dwell in you.
