Me be templing mon!

 

 

The last little while I've been reminded of this children's song; being a temple and what that means. The song speaks of being a temple for the Holy Spirit. Spending some time in 1 Peter as a d-group we discussed what it means to build our "spiritual house" on the cornerstone of Christ. Not by chance I am also busy journeying through Kings, the story of the extravagant building by Solomon; a place for God to live, for His glory to be made manifest. The purpose of the temple was so much more. The extent of the adornments, the wealth of the materials - all to inspire worship. 

 

According to Peter we are all called to be temples - to inspire worship. 

We are all called to be gatekeepers - to lead people into His presence.

 

On a journey like this the nature of this varies and it is sometimes challenging to live as a temple in all environments - but as a team we are exposed to various situations where that is precisely what we do, living a God-seeking lifestyle automatically inspires others to do the same. Here are a few snapshots of my past month, templing around in Jamaica:

 

*Loving the community children in St Annes, spending some time playing soccer, listening, giving attention.

*Explaining to a 14 year old that the whole point of Jesus is that you dont first have to "make yourself right" - that is grace!

*Sharing the gospel with a streetchild on the dirty pavement in front of a KFC.

*Spending some time with old and forgotten people, a much-needed listening ear and young eyes that can still read the Bible.

*Being faithful in giving ourselves as sacrifices in serving through physical labour.

*Doing a powerful drama in the middle of downtown Sunday evening crusade happenings, feeling the tangible presence of the Spirit.

*Sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness this past 6 months.

*Living the lifestyle of church with 10 team-members.

 

A few examples, and its so easy to wonder about the effectiveness, the degree of worship it inspires. But that is not what a temple is called to do. A temple is called to be. What happens in others hearts is not our concern. We're called to simply be who He created us to be, built on the cornerstone of who we are in Christ through our salvation, trusting in a mighty God whose ways are far above ours.

 

The reality is that this calling is on all of our lives. It is not a global challenge but a daily challenge. Do you leave a room, finish a conversation, spend time with people and leave them in a state of wanting/needing to worship God; through your testimony, your life, your inspiration? Don't you know you are a temple?

 

"Cathedrals, have tried in vain, to show the image of your face;

We are, by your design, signature of divine!"