An Invitation To Stay
1 Chronicles 15:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
15 David made for himself houses in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
Before we bring new furniture into our homes, before we bring new appliances into our kitchen, we do something to prepare for these things to take up residence in our home. Most of us who have had children, we understand this process more clearly because we go through what is called a nesting instinct we begin to clean, paint, organize, in order for the baby to enter as clean and sterile of an environment as possible, that is specifically intended for them. When my husband moved down from New York, last year after we got married, we had to shift rooms and change some things around in the house to prepare for his arrival. Even when people visit our homes we go into a panic trying to ensure that things are as presentable as possible, so we prepare. How can we find the importance of preparing for inanimate objects and even other people, but we do not prepare our home for God?
I have a beautiful sistafriend, who I love dearly; she has prepared a literal prayer closet; it is her alter essentially. She has ensured that just as David she has prepared and identified a specific place to go meet with the Lord. My bedroom is that for my husband and myself, even sometimes it is the restroom as well. DO you ever notice when you prepare for people and you serve them well while they are present it feels like they are comfortable enough to stay, as long as they need to? I have a BFF who moved away to Texas, when she was in a rough period in her life, and she came over to our home, she laid on our couch and was able to sleep, when she was not able to sleep at her own home. We have been told our home is peaceful and it is restful, it is because we have invited God to live here not just visit and we try not to do anything to drive Him out. We try to keep our conversation so that it is pleasing in His sight, we set an atmosphere where He can identify that He is always welcome. The atmosphere in our home we pray is always inviting for those who come, but more importantly I am concerned about God understanding that I have prepared a place for Him, and He is welcome to abide here with me. A matter of fact I need Him to. So many times we make room for things and people, but we have not taken the time to make room and prepare for Christ to come in and the Holy Spirit reside in our homes, because we have not made room in our lives for Him in our lives, and even our bodies, which is supposed to be His temple. It is important for us to ensure He has a place.
Is your home Jesus ready? Can the peace and presence of God be recognized in your home? Have you prepared or reserved a place just for you and God to meet and abide together in communion? If we want God to stay we have to make the same effort that we do when we want a friend to stay with us. Make Him feel welcome, make Him feel as if you have prepared a place that is His and His alone, that He does not have to share a space with the enemy or any other thing you have elevated above Him. Open up not only your home but your life to Him, surrender all to Jesus, freely and gladly give to Him a place to stay. One that allows Him to know that you desire Him to be there and you are happy to have Him, living not just with you but in you!
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