Daniel Seabaugh

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

-1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)

My daughters often give me drawings they’ve made of our family. At first glance, the pictures appear simple—eight people standing in a row with their names helpfully written above them. But upon careful investigation, the intricate details, and no doubt, the time invested in each drawing, become apparent.

In a recent picture, I’m conveyed with prickly facial hair, round framed glasses with what I believe is a smudge or two at the top of the lenses, and my signature Alpha zip-up hoodie. Why go through the trouble of getting these details right? Why not simply draw some stick figures and call things good? My guess is that my daughters want to please their father and, though they may not articulate it this way, show him they care, see, and love representing our family and its values.

When Solomon built the temple in 1 Kings 6, he paid attention to some intricate details. If I’m honest, I often blow past them. After all, what does the width of doors, or the kinds of wood and stone used for the interior of the temple, have to do with me today? I believe the point is that God is worthy of our best. Solomon understood this and wanted to pour his heart into every detail. The nations would come to this temple to meet with the living God. It had to be perfect.

In the New Testament, God’s Spirit dwells inside his people. We, as the church, get to usher people into God’s presence. How’s it going? Are we bringing our best? When people look at us, do they see a God who loves them, is for them, and wants to give them life, hope, and a future?

I pray we would, by the power and presence of God’s Spirit, live as the most beautiful temple the world has ever known. I pray that, through us, all nations come to worship the God who is worthy of our best.

Will we always get it right? No. Do we have to be perfect to reflect God’s love to the world? I sure hope not. Will we, like Solomon, be more concerned with the details and time of our own dwellings than the sanctuary of God (see 1 Kings 7:1)? Sometimes, yes. But God is for us. He’s not against us. Every blown moment is an opportunity to turn back to Jesus. And he will welcome us home.