“holiness is the beauty of Your house for all the days to come.” Psalm 93:5b (HCSB)

Holiness is the beauty.

These words struck me as I read this morning. It’s not the passage I was looking for, but it’s the one the Lord lead me to.

Holiness is the beauty of Your house.

It might be tempting to think of the temple that was built for the Lord, with all it adornment and fulfillment of His instruction. Since the mandate came directly from the Lord and everything was done with care and reverence, I’m sure one could attribute “holiness” for its beauty – you know, the “holy” temple of God.

Or we could consider our own dwelling. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15, NIV.) I absolutely pray that my actions and activities in and around my home reflect the beauty of the Lord. I would like holiness to be the beauty of my home.

However, neither of those houses is the house I was drawn to. Rather, my own person; my body.

“Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s sanctuary, God will destroy him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (HCSB).

The place where God dwells? That’s His house. If we’ve accepted Christ as our savior and invited Him to come “dwell within”, then that’s just what the Holy Spirit does – dwells within, making His home in us. So we are God’s house.

Holiness is the beauty of Your house.

Sitting at my dining room table after a late breakfast, in my bulky fleece sweats and robe, two-day-old hair, a blemish-filled completion because I ate a pan of rice krispie treats throughout the week, and still walking a slow road of recovery from being sick all month, it’s safe to say that beautiful is NOT how I feel. Yet, I read those words and my heart soared. If the Spirit dances within, I think that’s what happened.

Holiness is the beauty of Your house.

Oh, don’t worry, I’m not on some false pedestal, thinking I’m close to holy perfection. No, I know I am a work-in-progress with a host of faults and insecurities and quirks, but I strive. I strive to keep my eyes fixed on Him, my life open to His leading; my heart humbled before Him. I pray there is evidence of His holiness in me.

No matter how the world (or myself, for that matter) views my physical appearance, my ultimate goal is to be the woman God wants me to be. Part of that would be, Lord willing, to reflect His love and grace – His beauty. I choose to believe the statement that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), therefore I choose to believe He considers me special and even beautiful.

Dear readers, YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God wants to dwell within you and bless you in unimaginable ways. He wants to make you beautiful from the inside, out. No matter the state of your housekeeping, completion, or your perception of the state of your life, clinge to His truths and His promises.

Holiness is the beauty of Your house.

Be beautiful today.

#liveyourfaithboldly and #loveonpurpose