Building Your Spiritual Home
My mind has been preoccupied in recent times. You see, my family and I have been on quite a journey, hopping from one house to another. We've just bought a new house, finally finding a home that we can truly call our own. But don't be fooled; it's a house that needs a dash of love and a lot of work, having missed the touch of renovation for the past 30 years.
This personal journey, is what brings me to the theme of today's exhortation – houses and dwelling places. I'm curious, how many times have you packed up your life into boxes and moved? Have you planted roots in the first house you bought, or have you danced to the tune of change, like myself, moving from one place to another?
Did you know, on average, a person in our great United Kingdom moves house approximately eight times in their lifetime? I find myself almost in line with that statistic. Yet, as we delve into our discussion today, we'll uncover that these homes we build are not just bricks and mortar; they carry a profound spiritual connotation too.
You see, the concept of 'houses' and 'dwelling places' weaves its way across the tapestry of scripture quite intricately. Nearly 1900 times to be precise. From the grandeur of Solomon's Temple, a physical manifestation of God's abode, to the humble heart of a believer, a metaphorical dwelling for God's teachings, the journey is awe-inspiring.
Yes, the wisdom of God doesn't call for us to build elaborate physical structures to house His presence. Instead, it beckons us to create a spiritual dwelling place within our hearts. A place where His teachings are not just etched into the stone of commandments but are written onto the soft parchment of our hearts. That's the shift from external to internal we're called to make in our spiritual sojourn.
We often fall into a trap of our own making, deceiving ourselves into believing that everything is alright when, in fact, it's not. We hear God's word, but do we truly listen? Do we allow His wisdom to seep into our hearts and inform our actions? Or do we merely nod along, content with the status quo, while our spiritual house remains vacant?
In the hustle and bustle of this world, it's easy to be swayed by the perceived wisdom it offers. It tells us that our worth is tied to our status, our wealth, the size of our houses, or our job titles. But God's wisdom is not so shallow. It tells us that these things, these symbols of worldly success, are but foolishness in His eyes.
The wisdom of God encourages us to be the masters of our lives. But this mastery isn't about self-aggrandizement or wealth accumulation. It's about building a spiritual home within us, a home grounded in His principles.
God's wisdom calls for us to abstain from sinful desires, not to yield to the 'you only live once' mentality that the world tends to peddle. God's plan, His purpose, has always been to dwell with us. And He yearns to dwell not in grandiose structures but within the tender chambers of our hearts.
Remember Jesus, who chose to live without a physical house. He defied the conventional wisdom of needing a place to live, and instead, placed His unwavering trust in God's providence. He demonstrated that our lives should be built not on the transient sands of worldly wisdom but on the unshakeable rock of God's principles.
Let me urge you to draw from the parable of the wise man who built his house upon the rock. It's not just a story for children; it's a lesson for each one of us. It calls us to examine the foundations of our spiritual homes. Are they built on God's principles, or are they at risk of crumbling on the shifting sands of worldly wisdom?
The apostle James calls us to action, reminding us not to merely listen to the Word but to do what it says. To not deceive ourselves, but to earnestly live according to God's teachings. The wisdom of this world may sway us to strive for material success, but the wisdom of God invites us to build a spiritual home within us, grounded in love, faith, and selflessness.
And so, let's recommit to this divine construction project. Let's invite God's wisdom into our lives and allow it to shape our thoughts, actions, and interactions. Let's remember that we are not just citizens of this world, but also sojourners on a spiritual journey, aliens and strangers, as Peter puts it, waging a noble war against the sinful desires that threaten our soul.
So, as we partake in our daily tasks, let us strive to not just fit in, but to be different. Let's embody the teachings of Christ, demonstrating gratitude for what we have, no matter how modest or grand, and compassion towards those around us. Let's transform our hearts into a dwelling place for God, a house built on the rock of His wisdom.
In closing, let's reflect upon Jesus' sacrifice and express our gratitude for the hope He has given us. Let's seek His forgiveness for our failings and ask for His guidance as we strive to build our spiritual homes. And let's look forward with joy and anticipation to the day when Jesus returns, and God's dwelling place is with us forever.
As we go about our day, let's remember that the true measure of wisdom isn't in the size of our house, but in the depth of our faith. Be blessed, and remember to be a blessing to others.
