We have grown accustomed to our mirror image when we brush our hair or clean our teeth. We think the mirror image looking back at us, that’s who we are. However, what we see in the mirror is an outer shell. On the day we die it becomes apparent that our bodies are nothing but a temporary boarding place, a tent if you will. Our spirit leaves our body behind when we part with this world. On this note the apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters (2 Corinthians 5:1):

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

Nomads live in tents. They are desert dwellers who are constantly on the move because that’s how they feed their livestock. Pitching their tents on feeding ground they move on once the feeding ground is exhausted. Our body is a tent and it is designed to house our human spirit only temporarily. Obviously, we can desecrate and defile our tent in many ways, but Jesus bought us at a price, and by receiving Him we can get rid of the filth and stains. Those of us who believe in Him turn their tent into a temple where the Holy Spirit resides.

Our bodies are receptacles. Ever since we were conceived this body of ours carries our human spirit. Amazingly our body also becomes the physical location where God’s Spirit and human spirit meet. This is how we hear God’s voice inside of us. His Spirit guides us this way. Paul encourages us to honor the Lord with our bodies. How do we make guests in our home feel welcome? Basically, we entertain them. The Holy Spirit will not stay, unless we treat Him like an honored guest. We listen to Him and don’t ignore Him.

A believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This may be as astonishing a miracle as God becoming flesh and living among us.