How did I come to the place where now I mope around, I complain about the stress of school, I boast in how tired I am?
I've heard it from my classmates. Oh, I only got five hours of sleep last night. Ugh, I have so much to do! I'm so stressed. We wear it like a badge of honor - to be so busy, almost going crazy with it all. Do we want people to feel sorry for us? Are we looking for an excuse when we lash out, let the pent-up worry flood into the lives of others?
Where is peace? What happened to joy?
It's not that life is easy and simple. It's not that our circumstances won't affect us. It's just that there's something, Someone who affects us more. Because He lives inside of us. Wow. Think about that for a moment.
We are being "built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit." We are cathedrals. We are sanctuaries. Set apart, holy, filled with all His glory. Just as God's majesty filled the Jewish temple, so His majesty fills us. He has washed us clean, from the inside out, with His own blood. Why would we bring our rotting, stinking worry and pride into this holy place?
His peace and joy - oh, it transcends and it drives away the dark. And when people see the light in our eyes in the midst of all these crazy days....they behold God.
I can bring the light of God into a classroom on a Wednesday morning. I can bring Him to the man standing on a street corner or to a woman sitting alone at a senior retirement center. He lives in me and you!!
We were built by the hands of love
Redeemed in spite of what we’ve done
We are the spirit’s dwelling place
And now, children of the light
Fight back darkness with delight
Lift your eyes up to His face
Let joy take temptation’s place
-Tenth Avenue North