Who lives here?

When Goldilocks enters the house of the three bears, we learn a little bit about those bears. We learn that Papa Bear likes his porridge hot and his chair and bed hard. We learn that Mama Bear likes her porridge quite cool and her chair and bed very soft. And we learn that Baby Bear likes things much the same as Goldilocks.

I've been in the homes of several friends the past week or so, and I started thinking about how their homes reflect their personalities, and the dynamics of their families. One friend has very clean lines and neutral colors, and very little ones. Another likes bolder colors and patterns, and has medium-sized kids. And I thought about my house. My style (if you can call it that) is really more hodge-podge. There is very little continuity-- except when my snowmen come out of hibernation! And honestly, most of the time it looks like a tornado tore through (which may not be far from the truth!) For a minute I wished that my home looked more like my friends', a little more order, a little more continuity. But then I thought that I probably wouldn't like that look for long.

And then I pondered the whole reflection thing. The Bible says that when we trust in Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are told that God is just and true and beautiful and kind and holy. If a dwelling place reflects its occupant, then Christians should begin to display more and more of these characteristics. Dear Christian, are you reflecting the Spirit who lives in you?

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22
 
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5