Time To Hang The Curtains
Moving into a new house or apartment, is an exciting time in one’s life. Beds are normally one of the first pieces of furniture to be assembled, followed by placement of couches and other seating arrangements in the communal living area.
We have moved a handful of times over the years and I’m the type of gal who needs her kitchen put together immediately. There is nothing worse than wanting to make a simple meal, and having to dig through cardboard boxes just to find a spatula or other basic cooking utensil. Organizing the pots and pans, dishes, small appliances and every, little kitchen knick-knack takes priority.
Some of you may focus on setting up the bathroom first, or your bedrooms. There is no right or wrong for the path you choose, when it comes to getting a new residence settled and cozy. I have discovered; however, one of the most common items to get shoved to the bottom of the unpacking list is the hanging of curtains.
When we moved into the house we currently live in, it took me a long time before I settled on what type of curtains I wanted to dress up my plain windows. But even prior to this move, it seems the curtains have always been last to make their appearance when settling into a new home environment.
I find this odd, and maybe I’m the only one who does this, but I don’t think so. I have helped many a friend move and it seems those colorful, pieces of decor, have one of the lowest ranking of concern in comparison to everything else you need to establish your house. The oddity I find, stems from the fact, until those window dressings finally make their debut, the dwelling doesn’t appear to be complete and finalized. Why do we put this off? The hanging of curtains says, “Hi! I have decided to stay here and settle in for a long time.”
Some of you need to drag the curtain rods out of the box of your spiritual life, and get the drapes hung up, finalizing your space.
In the book of John, first chapter, we are introduced to a man called, John the Baptist. I’m sure many are familiar with this name, even if you are not sure why he is mentioned in the scriptures, much less what he accomplished. He was Jesus’ older cousin, whose mission was to lay the foundation for the coming Messiah by preaching to the masses, and revealing to the people the Savior the ancient prophets spoke about, was in fact the God man, Jesus Christ.
We are told, one of the signs John would be given to know who the long awaited chosen one would be, was a visual anointing and filling of the Holy Spirt upon this person. Beginning in verse 32 of John chapter one we read, “John gave [further] evidence, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He dwelt [never to leave] on Him. I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have [actually] seen [that happen], and my testimony is that this is the Son of God!” (Amplified version)
As I was studying through the passage, I was struck by the declaration at the end of verse 32, “and He dwelt [never to leave] on Him.”
The Holy Spirit dwelt on Jesus.
dwell /dwel/: verb, past tense: dwelt
to remain for a time
to live as a resident
exist, lie
If you decide to dwell someplace, you are planning on staying there for an extended period of time. You settle in, get cozy and establish a set up that is conducive for comfortable living. What a wonderful word image for the children of God.
This was not a temporary arrangement, dear friends. The filling of the Holy Spirit was permanent, never to leave as the amplified bible expounds. It was an intentional settlement on and in this person, the Christ. This wording should not be glossed over.
When we take up residence, we are claiming ownership of the space. Even if you are renting an apartment, you bring things into those four walls that make the statement, “I am placing my stamp and seal on this area. I have established this as mine.”
When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, and settled, He was establishing ownership over His new home. At this point, a choice was made- To allow full control of the dwelling (aka Jesus’ life and body) to the presence of the Holy Spirit, or to shove Him in the nearest closet, limiting His access to the entire structure.
You do not need to be a biblical scholar to know which choice was made by the Messiah. Multiple times throughout His ministry, He makes it crystal clear He has come to complete the will of the Father, never His own.
Also, please do not miss the promise which is established by the Father. The intentional use of a word like “dwelt” to describe how The Spirit fell upon the Savior, denotes a Presence that was there to stay, never to leave, nor forsake. He would give Jesus strength, comfort, wisdom and guidance over the years of His ministry here on Earth. It was a purposeful planting in one spot, never to be uprooted.
This was also a foreshadowing of what was to come for the Church, which we read about later in the book of Acts. As the disciples gathered in the upper room, praying and waiting, per the instruction of Jesus, a mighty wind and tongues of fire filled the room and rested upon each of those gathered in that place. (Acts chapter 2)
This was to fulfill Jesus’ words to the disciples prior to His crucifixion. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take in its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, amp)
Just as the Holy Spirit took up residence in Jesus Christ, He also desires to live in each of us. We are given this gift at the moment of salvation, but we too have a choice: the whole house, or just the closet.
I find comfort in knowing, the Helper is established in my life, permanently rooted, but how strongly He is allowed to grow and the dimensions He will reach, are dictated by my obedience to the will of the Father. Too many times, the Bride of Christ remains weak and ineffective, because we refuse to hang the curtains and finalize our dwelling for the total use of the Holy Spirit.
We decline to add any decor on the walls, and make sure the furniture is easily portable, so we can pack up and take off- if things don’t go the way we desire. After all, we need options.
The Lord wishes to live within us, not as a short-term, lease arrangement, but for the full term of the loan. Remember, this is not our home. Our time here is temporary, as we await the completion of our mansion. If you have been sealed and claimed by the promised Holy Spirit, why won’t you allow Him access to every room of your heart? Why leave the walls and windows bear, as if you have no intention of remaining in that living situation.
If you struggle with releasing complete control to the Lord and submitting fully to His will, I challenge you to examine your heart and motives, to determine what is causing you to be incapable of finalizing the relationship.
Pride
Need for control
Selfish desires
Unbelief
Lack of trust
Fear
Regardless of what is on your list, address the issue (or issues). Pray and ask the Lord to change your “want to”. You will find no greater housemate than the Holy Spirit. Start enjoying the fullness of all the promises of God, do not hold anything back from Him.
It’s time to hang those curtains, dear friends, and by doing so, make the proclamation, “Hi! I have decided to stay here and settle in for a lifetime.”