Temples of the Holy Spirit

My body is no longer just mine.  It has been consecrated to God through Baptism and Confirmation.  I have chosen to allow the Holy Spirit to live and move in me.  But, I don't always treat my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.  I do not exercise enough, I do not eat properly, I do not do everything I can to keep my body healthy and strong.  And, I do not always care for my heart and soul as I should because I sin and I am broken by sin.  But I know that my body was purchased for a price by Jesus on the cross.  He shed His Precious Blood for my sake and He washes me clean through the sacrament of Reconciliation.  I need to treat my body with the dignity and respect it deserves because God's Holy Spirit lives within me.

It is God's presence within us that we need to acknowledge.  Our hands are God's hands touching, blessing, and healing others.  Our eyes are God's eyes gazing with love on others.  Our feet are God's feet carrying us to do His will each day.  Our hearts are God's heart loving those around us.  And, our words are at times the Holy Spirit's words blessing and edifying others.  Our bodies are truly temples of the Holy Spirit.  Let's consecrate them to God and do all we can not to defile them.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 4:4 NRSV)

Spiritual Gifts

Okay, I have to admit at times I am afraid of using the gifts God has given me.  I fear rejection by others.  I fear people judging me or making fun of me.  I even fear that I won’t use the right gift at the right time.  What’s the common thread here?  Fear, plain and simple.  Maybe my fears are just Satan trying to keep me from letting God’s gifts be manifest in my life because he knows when God is actively using me he cannot. 

I know that the Holy Spirit determines what gifts will become active, within whom, when, and for what purpose.  It is my job to be open and willing to embrace each of the gifts so that God’s love can flow freely from within me out to others.   I know that all His gifts are for my edification and the edification of others.  And, I know that spiritual gifts are a blessing I should be grateful for.  I realize that when I utilize the gifts God has given me as He wishes I am going to have peace and joy.  But I still hesitate to let God use me.  I have a hard time trusting that I will get it right.  I’m afraid I will do something wrong and hurt myself or others.  I trust God I don’t trust myself.

I suppose I need to get out of God’s way and just let Him move in my life.  What I think or what others do or say shouldn’t matter.  It’s really all about letting God do His work in me and through me for His honor and glory.  So I guess I will listen carefully and prayerfully use the gifts God is calling me to use when I believe He wants me to use them.

“Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts.” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NRSV)