I hesitated for quite a while before writing the title of this blog. After all, I’m not in the business of shocking or offending anyone—and definitely not in the business of writing about Jesus in any dishonouring way. But I decided to take the risk in order to share something that may challenge but also encourage you as it did for me this past week.
A few evenings ago, I was privileged to speak to a group of women at a nearby church who braved some bleak, cold weather to be there. I had chosen to speak on a favourite part of Scripture—Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 where he first of all prays the following for ‘the saints in Ephesus’:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (3:16-17).
Yet Jesus Christ was already present in the hearts of these believers. In the previous chapter, Paul reminds them how they have been made alive with Christ by grace (2:5) and how they are now ‘fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household’ (2:19). So what does he mean?
Apparently, the Greek word translated ‘dwell’ here can also mean ‘inhabit’, ‘live in’, ‘settle in’—even ‘settle down and feel at home’—which is why we find the following in the New Living Translation: ‘And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.’ In other words, Paul is praying that these believers will be strengthened more and more in their faith in Jesus, coming closer and closer to him in the process.
As I explained this, I noticed one girl sitting with her feet resting on a nearby chair. She wasn’t being rude. In fact, she was right at the front, paying close attention to everything I said. In an instant, it occurred to me that this is exactly the way Jesus desires to be at home in our hearts—sitting back, feet up, knowing he is so welcome there, ready to listen and also so ready to share with me from his own heart. And that is what I told the women, as I pointed at the smiling girl, sitting back with her feet up and enjoying it all!
Sometimes I’m convinced Jesus turns the tables on me when I speak and has me say things intended first and foremost for me. Sometimes I picture him smiling wryly at me and saying in a gentle but firm voice, ‘Oh really, Jo? Make sure you put it into practice yourself!’ But this time, I think Jesus wanted to show me again how delighted he is to be at home in my heart and to put his feet up there. Because he loves me, he is prepared to wait there patiently in those times when I ignore him and want to run my own life. He doesn’t leave—because that’s his home. But he longs for me to notice he is there and to allow his presence to fill me to overflowing once again.
What a privilege we have to be able to open our hearts to Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and make him comfortable there!
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
My friend, Jo-Anne, wrote about being at Dayspring .
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Certainly did, Michelle! Just didn’t think to mention the actual church, but thanks for that. A lovely group of women to speak to!
As always, Jo-Anne, beautiful thoughts. I’ve just arrived home weary from being mostly on my feet past few hours with our lovely grandchildren. I’m ready for bed too but first did need to “put my feet up”, clicked on your blog and here you are once again drawing me deeper to the heart of Christ! Thank you so much
And it is so true that everytime I prepare a message God has a way of socking it home to me first!.
Thanks for your lovely comments, Mary–you are always so encouraging! I feel for you with your weariness from minding grandchildren, although I know you love them to bits! I regularly mind our nineteen month old grandson, but that’s only ONE child! We also pick up our two granddaughters one afternoon a week and mind them for a couple of hours at their place, but again, that’s only TWO! So a big well done to you!
Yes how wonderful Jo-Anne, Jesus is always with us and He is preparing a Mansion for us and we know that it is not bricks and mortar, we are being conformed into His image and so we will walk as He walked and think as He does, 1Corinthians 2:9-16 we seek to be perfected in His Love as we put our flesh to death by the Spirit……
Romans 8 :12-15 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. or if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
1 John 4:17-19 Herein is our Love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in Love; but perfect Love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in Love. We Love Him, because He first Loved us.
In knowing God as our Abba Father we have His assurance that He will be with us always and Wow how we long to be with Him too, as we do with all those we Love, just thinking about Him gives us Joy and of course our Brag book is the Bible.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
Thanks again for your lovely comments, Anne. We are away in Vic at the moment and I have just shared that picture of Jesus put his feet up and being comfortable in our hearts, which really touched some of the women. God bless!