Is Jesus a Guest or Homeowner in Your Heart?
I completed a home improvement project recently! Yes, that's right…I discovered something that would be helpful in our world, researched and found the ideal product, bought it (that's the easy part), and then…I installed it. I even read the directions.
This is big stuff. But apart from the little project, it's the outcome that really made a difference. My big victory? I installed a smart lock on our door. Just a few days later, we had someone come to our house to do some work, and I was able to set them a code valid only during the time they planned to work. They were welcome in my house, but not THAT welcome. They could enter, but only when I said so.
You know, that's often the kind of access we give God to our lives. We are locked in on Sunday, maybe even on Monday, and probably when we're in crisis or need, but we decide when God can come in. We treat God as a visitor who operates on our schedule, at our leisure. But if we want to experience God's power in our lives, we need to stop treating Him like a visitor and let Him take up residence.
God Has Unlimited Resources for You
In Ephesians 3:16 (NLT), Paul writes, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." This prayer reminds us that the power we need for living a life of peace, love, and grace isn't generated from somewhere deep inside us—it comes from God's unlimited resources.
In other words: God has what you need. You aren't on your own, and you don't need to depend on yourself.
This is a reminder that in all the circumstances of life, there is One who goes before you, stands with you, and will never leave you. And maybe you need to hear this today: God never gets tired of you. His resources are unlimited; they never run out. You can't out-ask Him, out-need Him, or out-sin His grace.
Inner Transformation Before Outer Change
When we give God control, something happens. As Paul says, God "will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." He's saying that the work of God begins in unseen places. This is so counterintuitive to the world around us. We like metrics, milestones, and highlight reels. But what Paul is telling us is that change starts inside.
And here's the thing: God's power doesn't always change your situation…often it changes you. The situation isn't different, but it's better because of the change you've experienced.
When you see yourself reacting calmly in situations where you used to react angrily, that's because you were "empowered with inner strength through His Spirit." When you find yourself finally saying no to that temptation you've struggled with for years, that's His Spirit at work. When you respond with grace instead of gossip to someone who hurt you, that's His power transforming you from within.
From Guest Room to Home Owner
Ephesians 3:17 (NLT) tells us, "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."
Paul uses this powerful image to demonstrate how to have a life with Jesus. The phrase "make his home" comes from the Greek word "katoikeo," which means to settle or to house permanently. This isn't an on-again, off-again arrangement. Jesus wants full custody…He wants to move in permanently.
There's a difference between being a guest and being a resident. Jesus isn't looking for a spot in the guest room. He wants to take up permanent residence in your heart.
When you move into a new home, what do you do? You clean or replace the carpet, paint the walls, bring your own furniture, and arrange it in a way that suits your lifestyle. Jesus wants to do the same in your heart—He wants to rearrange the furniture.
A guest wouldn't do that. A guest is polite. They don't open cabinets. They don't change the thermostat. But a resident? They live there. They have a key. They rearrange things so the space reflects who they are.
When Jesus moves in, that's exactly what He does:
He starts reshaping your world
He moves some things around
He brings new things in
He throws some things out
It's not always comfortable, because change isn't our favorite thing. But it's always good.
Life Application: Changing the Access Settings
My smart lock has been great. It's secure. It's convenient. It gives me control. I can decide who comes in and when. That works perfectly for my house…but it doesn't work at all for my heart.
God doesn't want to visit; He wants a permanent address. He doesn't want to stop by when it's convenient; He wants to make your heart His home.
So maybe today's the day to change the access settings. Maybe it's time to delete the temporary code and give Jesus full access to your heart, your schedule, your fears, your hopes, your future.
Next Steps:
Start each day by surrendering control to God with this simple prayer: "Heavenly Father, today I'm going to release things I can't control, people I can't change, and outcomes I can't guarantee. I give it all to you! I'll do what I can with what's in my control, and I'll trust You with the rest."
Identify areas of your life where you've only given Jesus "guest access." Is it your finances? Your relationships? Your career decisions? Your free time?
Make a conscious decision to invite Jesus to "move in" to those areas completely, allowing Him to rearrange, remove, and renew as He sees fit.
Because when He truly makes His home in your heart, you get a glimpse of what it means to have a life that is infinitely more than you could ask or imagine.
