[reprinted from August 25, 2010]
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; …   Ephesians 3:14-17 (WEB)
When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Redeemer of my life, He came to live in me. His Holy Spirit became a part of me. What kind of accommodations am I offering to God? What does my home look like?
How about the ‘Kitchen’? Do I “cook up†good stuff in my spirit, my soul? Do I mix pleasing portions of personal Bible study, private and corporate worship, and private and corporate prayer? Do I store up items in my pantry that will never spoil or am I more concerned about having ‘name brand’, religious accessories that mean nothing to God who can see the truth of my heart?
What happens in my bedroom, including the closet? What is my relationship with God? I can be totally honest here because this is the place where nobody sees — except Him. God will help me
de-clutter the closet and sweep out the dust bunnies of my life. The secret sins that I think no one else knows – God will clean that out!
Not to be indelicate, but what about the bathroom? Have my past sins that I have repented, and are covered by Jesus’ blood from the cross, truly been flushed away? Or do I continue to revisit them and the stench affects every part of my home? Nothing from this world can cover-up and set me free. Only the Blood. Nothing else is needed.
And finally, there is my front porch and yard. Is it beautiful and fragrant with good fruit and flowers? Or does it look deserted like no one lives there any more? Is my faith my life? Am I disciple of Jesus Christ 24/7? Do I have curb appeal that beckons people closer to ask about what makes me different? Am I prepared to share what produces the fruit in my life?
As I look around my physical dwelling place and consider how much time and effort I spend in keeping that ‘up’ and clean and repaired — how does that balance with the time and effort I put into my spiritual home where God lives!?!!
Just like any home designer, Jesus as a vision of what I can be. He wants to live inside of me and construct His home from the inside out. Jesus gives me free choice for many of the details of my life but He has also set an example of what will work well for me. He wants my life to be more extravagant (abundant) than I can imagine.
Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.   Psalm 23:6 (WEB)
Eagles Wings written by Reuben Morgan, sung by Hillsong Worship Team
