He Brought the House Down
You’ve probably heard that phrase when a comedian, storyteller, vocalist or actor gave a stellar performance. The crowd jumps to their feet and with cheers and applause, they assure that performer deserved being honored.
I’ll never forget the performance of Yakov Smirnoff at his show in Branson, MO. My husband and I had seen the show and when we shared the antics of his act with our aunt and uncle from Canada who were visiting us — we quickly put together plans for taking them to Branson. Telling them that Yakov brought the house down was convincing enough for them to want to see his show.
We made the three-hour drive to Branson, checked into our hotel, and then made our way to the show. Yakov didn’t disappoint. Entertainment puts it mildly. He made us laugh uncontrollably at his jokes. The four of us cried from laughing so hard. Indeed, he definitely “brought the house down”!
On the same day of being entertained, I saw a friend’s FB post. Like mine, her husband left for heaven earlier than she planned. She reflected: “Ninety days ago one of the strongest pillars in my life was knocked out from underneath me. This “earthquake” shook my spiritual house just like the Hawaiian earthquake shook our house. The last ninety days taught me some things. I learned that I can be shaken and not fall apart. I learned that I have many pillars holding me up. They are called my family of choice. And I have learned that the only unshakable thing is God Himself. He is my “Always & Forever.”
I loved her analogy. It was my real “aha” moment when I read her words “shook my spiritual house”. That’s it — our spiritual house is the habitation of God that lives big in us. Literally, God brought the house down and that house lives BIG in us. God has taken up residence in us.
Ephesians 2:22 says it this way: “And in Him, you, are being built together to become a habitation in which God lives by His Spirit.” We all know that God has chosen to live in the hearts of His people – you and me. God has taken up permanent residence in us. Like this little girl in the photo, we can also say: “I know where God lives!”
Yes, God is everywhere, but, His Word says we are His permanent dwelling place. God began to live in us when we first gave our hearts to Jesus. At that moment, Christ’s presence filled our being. Jesus said, “I am in my Father. If a man loves Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:20-23).
I get it, Lord! Thanks for the reminder. You brought the house down into me. I better clean house often to make sure it’s a holy habitation worthy of Your presence.