The Word became flesh, and [tabernacled] among us.

John 1:14, portion, paraphrased

We live in our tents, our bodies.  Jesus, in becoming man, put on flesh as a garment.  We are not our own.  Our bodies are not ours, nor are we all that is within.

The spirit realm is complex and vast.  The inter-workings of the body and the spirit are not generally well understood by those in Western cultures.  Yet, as when two people come together in intimacy they become one flesh, there are realities that go Beyond the carnal, which the Western mindset as a whole has no capacity to account for.

Yet, Jesus has tabernacled with men.  He put on skin.  And, further, He is still Immanuel, “God with us”.  Through His Spirit, the mystery of salvation has come into our hearts and saved our souls.  Again, what the rational, carnal mind cannot account for is the agency by which we have access to this grace, Faith (Romans 5:2).

We literally have God dwelling on the inside.

Yet, as the Holy Spirit is one with our spirit, how we long for the fullness of the consummation of this union.  The heart and flesh both cry out for our God (Psalm 84:2).  The body itself yearns for its master, for its maker, to be in union, to be with Him.  The body and the soul, although united in love in the spirit, burns for more, deeper, complete union.

Physical intimacy can only ever be a dim shadow of the fullness of the union and intimacy with our creator.  The boundary is oblivion, to be fully united with Him.  It is never to lose ones self beyond recognition, but merely to not care.

I am my beloved’s, And his desire is for me.

Song of Songs 7:10

Early in the Song, the bride was seen with perfume and incense, full of prayer and worship (Song of Songs 3:6).  Later, she is seen, shining and radiating like the sun in the anointing (Song of Songs 6:10).  Finally, it is in complete dependence, leaning upon her beloved, with no strength of her own, fully supported, fully carried, fully surrendered (Song of Songs 8:5).

But, within, within our selves, within ourselves, we can possess the Lord, as we possess our own soul.  If within Christ’s members the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily, so too is it available to us, if we choose to seek Him.  Within our members, if we seek and require Him, we can know God.  We can possess Him, hold Him, and know Him.

God dwells with man.  The very Creator dwells already within, yet there is more that can be known.  As we yield to Him, allow Him to take up residence, allow Him to dwell and grow, He takes over our thoughts, our emotions, our attitudes.  As we make Him room, and keep our self free from every other lover, He establishes Himself over our self.

Faith in Jesus is the substance of Jesus (Hebrews 11:1), as well as proof.

When He dwells inside, He begins to take over.  Things change.  Life changes.

When the glory comes in, it takes over your life, and begins to change your mind.  For the disciples, Jesus trained them for three and a half years before setting them on their own.  They still didn’t know everything even then.

But, as a man within a tent, He occupies what we give Him.

Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Romans 6:16

Our right in this life is to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus.  Our decision, every day, is to allow Him to change our hearts.

When the Lord puts us on as His glove, and wears us as we would a garment, it is clear what our purpose is.  There is no confusion in that place, only loving service.  As the greatness of our God dwells within, utterly inundating all our senses with His sweetness, there is nothing greater in this life.

It takes very little of life like this to be ruined for the thrills of this life, yet we are not fully there yet.  Seasons of power come and go, but we will not be satisfied with only a passing meeting.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:  Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Songs 8:4

This is the thrill of pursuit.  When glory comes in, and breaks your life, there is nothing left of this life but pursuit.  Though the way be easy or hard, there is only one thing left, which is completely, continual surrender.

What seemed like surrender before is insufficient.  Although there is never criticism for anyone who has not yet found entry to more, there is also no longer any ability to stay at the place they were.

Continual burnings for substance consume, to be driven to the place of ecstasy in Him, to the place of bliss and wholeness.

The substance of faith becomes your food, to do His will the only desire.

And, the fragrance of the Gospel that has been pouring forth, and the light of the rising begin to meld into the one.

Yet, there remains more.

And, in seeing Him, we are satisfied.

Most Happy are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Until all we know at this level is consumed, and He indwells us perfectly, in body, and soul and emotion.  Until our speech conforms.  Until our lips tremble.  Until our hands are His hands and our feet His feet.

Anything less is not the fullness of the rock upon which we could be built (Matthew 7:24).  Why would we settle when we could have the greatness of our King?

Until He dwells fully in our flesh, and all that there is is His.