“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?’” (Isaiah 66:1, NIV)
I have never built a house from the ground up. I don’t know what it is like to find a perfectly level plot of land to begin building on. I have no experience in dreaming up a floorplan and outlining each room with intricate placement. I have never watched the house take shape with the exterior wall frames set in place before my eyes.
But here is what I do know.
Building a house entails intentional planning. It requires a steady and solid foundation, logical and accurate directions, knowledge in building, and materials that will withstand storms, disasters, and the wear of time.
As Daughters of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. He directs our words, our paths, and our actions. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are opening our heart, soul, mind, and body for the Lord to dwell in.
I know that for some, that may flood you with anxious thoughts or heavy shame.
Let me encourage you; Beloved, you are perfectly and wonderfully made. The Father created you with mighty strengths, intellectual thoughts, and beautiful creativity. He loves you with a love that can’t be extinguished. He longs to dwell and be with you in the house that you embody.
Jesus said in Mark 12:30, CSB that we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
I want to suggest that our heart, soul, mind, and strength are the blueprint to building a house for the Lord to dwell in.
Your Heart
The heart is the most essential part of our physical body. Without a beating, functional heart, we would be considered lifeless.
The same is true for God’s Church. As a follower of Christ, if we are not functioning, speaking, and moving from the unconditional heart of Christ, his body of believers will move towards a comatose state.
While our culture has painted a picture of hearts for Valentine’s Day and mushy emotion-filled feelings, Biblically speaking, living a life from the heart is a choice.
To love from the heart of Christ, we must love those in front of us unconditionally and fully (John 15:12). It is laying our lives down for our family, friends, and neighbors (John 15:13). Forgiving those who have wronged us because Christ forgave even the smallest of our offenses (Colossians 3:13).
To love like Christ is to humble ourselves for our brother’s good and serve him and his needs (Romans 12:10).
This kind of love is not easy but is necessary. As we invite the Holy Spirit to come to dwell in our house, His heart will flow through ours.
Ask Jesus if anything in your heart does not align with who He says He is and who He says you are. Lean into His promptings.
Your Soul
Our soul isn’t just one aspect of our being; it is the epicenter of who we are as an entire person.
The soul encompasses our heart, our mind, and our spirit. For from the heart, the love and passionate giftings that we have been created with flow.
Our mind holds the knowledge and information that drives us to compassion, Truth, and seeking justice. Lastly, our spirit enables us to freely flow with creativity, wonder, and dreams.
Most importantly, the soul is the vehicle in which the Holy Spirit speaks and moves. It is from this place that He convicts, teaches, and corrects us as His Bride. It is here that we feel his presence and are covered in His love.
Our soul is the blueprint of His dwelling place. If our souls are built on the shaky, inconsistent soil of this world, we won’t be able to stand firm emotionally, mentally, and spiritually when the storms of this world come.
Ask Jesus to show you where His dwelling place may be built on shallow, sandy ground. Ask Him for divine revelation and direction so that you can live from a place of firm foundation.
Your Mind
Our thoughts have the power to bring life or death. From our thoughts, we form opinions, personal truths, and it’s the place where we make decisions for ourselves, our families, and our lives.
Romans 12:2, ESV says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As believers, if we are not continually renewing our minds by exchanging the negative beliefs of this world for God’s truth, we can partner with the wrong kingdom. This will, in turn, affect our choices, the truth we are siding with, and ultimately the outcome of our lives.
Transforming our minds involves studying God’s Word, memorizing His Truth, and continually praying for the Holy Spirit to guide and speak to us.
For me personally, journaling is an excellent method of actively transforming my mind. As I write scripture and journal my heart thoughts, the Lord is faithful to show me what lies I believe.
Ask Jesus to reveal the places in your life where you need to renew your mind. As He reveals things, write them down, seek the Scriptures, and journal to release some of the thoughts surrounding those things.
Your Body
Just as our God cares about our souls, He also cares about our physical bodies.
In the Garden, when God was forming Adam and Eve, he responded that it was “very good.” He created the things on this earth that we would need for nourishment and for functioning with excellence.
Since the fall of man, humans began looking for fulfillment in all places except the Lord, and now we have addictions, obsessions, and idols of all kinds. To walk in the recovery of any addiction is a very personal, brave, and intimate journey.
Ask God to reveal any idols that you may have been focusing on over Him. Be gentle with yourself and take His direction one step at a time.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I welcome you into my heart, mind, soul, and body. Reveal the deep places where I need your healing touch as I invite you to dwell in my house forever. May my foundations be built on You, all the days of my life. We love you and praise you in Jesus’ mighty, precious name.
Amen
