When was the last time you felt the presence of God flourishing in you? Ephesians 2 explains how God made us alive in Him. Through his grace He bestowed His favor on us. We are His workmanship. We are His work of art, created in Christ Jesus, spiritually transformed, and renewed for good works. He has fashioned us as His temple. The Holy Spirit dwells within us as 1 Corinthians 6 describes.
1 Peter 2 reveals to us that He chose us and made us into living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house. We are His cathedrals. He has fashioned us into exquisite, ornate creations that he desires to live in.
Have you ever just looked out over the land from a mountaintop? Or gazed across the unending ocean and stood in awe of the grandeur of it all? Does it give you a sense of peace? Just think of how when God looks at us He sees us as more beautiful than any of these scenes. It brings Him rest and He chooses to rest in us. In Acts 17, it is explained that God does not live in temples made by man. He dwells in us so that “we may know Him and seek Him and feel our way towards Him and find Him.” For in Him we live and move and have our being. When David attempted to build the temple, God said no because he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25).
In Hebrew the term for temple is “Helkal” which means a large public building or palace. The scriptures describe both tents and intricately detailed structures built for God as “the house of God.” In 1 Chronicles 22 God chose a man of peace, David’s son, to build a temple to honor God’s name. God granted him wisdom, understanding, and courage. God bestows on us the same qualities and privilege to build him a temple, ourselves.
So take pride in yourself. Honor yourself. For God lives in you and delights in you. He resides in you and takes up space in you. He has made you his magnificent cathedral, a beautiful work of art. He takes pleasure in you and finds peace and rest in you. We are made holy through Him. We are a part of his body, the church, and he is preparing for us a place for us to exist with him forever.
I am most aware of God’s presence in me when I am experiencing a holy moment and I feel chills descend from my head to my toes. At times I hear him whisper wisdom to me. It may be in my own inner voice, but I know it is from Him. I know He is well pleased with me and finds favor in me as I feel his gaze upon me like the sun shining its warmth upon my head. When I have difficulty sensing his presence, I reflect on my week or day and find qualities He has instilled in me that could only come from Him. He grants us the fruit of the Spirit as He prompts us to walk in His ways.
About the Author
Mollie is recently married to her wonderful husband Dustin. She is a Wound Care RN at McKenzie Willamette Hospital. She enjoys being creative, getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family.