We stared at one another in disbelief. Surely the misunderstanding was because of translation.
I repeated the question in Mandarin and he repeated his answer in the same.
In a few moments, the Taiwanese realtor and I realized the problem was culture. I’d asked why there was no room in the kitchen for the fridge and he’d replied that it wasn’t needed since it would be installed in the living room.
I discovered our realtor was right. Most Asian refrigerators aren’t in the kitchen. They aren’t standard equipment. Food bought early in the morning at fresh markets could be stir-fried within hours. Fresh ingredients don’t need refrigeration. Just because my fridge had always been in the kitchen, didn’t mean this was the only place it could be.
We discover the Father’s glory isn’t only in the heavenlies or where He happens to descend. In reality, He has placed His glory in an unexpected location: within you and I.
How often have I prayed like Moses, “Show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18) I’ve read this story multiple times, assuming that while He passes by, He will have to put me in some cleft of the rock and cover me with His Hand.
But is this really the only location of His glory?
If Christ is in us, then we are collectively a temple of God where the Spirit of God dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). The tabernacle that was once just a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” is now fully set-up within each of us (Hebrews 8:5). The Shekinah glory which first found residence only in the purified Holy of Holies, now abides within you. His Spirit is not bits and pieces of this and that, but the totality of the Living God. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).
Although my spirit is now a brand-new child of God, my thoughts, emotions and will are still in a process of renewal. “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet wheat we shall be” (1 John 3:2). Sometimes, my old thoughts spill out, making me quite messy. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
“The kingdom of God is within” (Luke 17:21). “In His temple, everything says, “Glory!” (Psalm 29:9). Because His Spirit lives within us, He promises that “I will be the glory in her midst” (Zechariah 2:5). This applies to our new inner man! “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Know that as a believer, right now at this very moment, the glory of the Lord is within you shining brilliantly. “You are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). “God is in the midst of (you), (you) will not be moved; God will help (you) when morning dawns” (Psalm 46:5).
Because of His Presence within us, we have vast resources available to us. We have access to wise decisions. “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:11). “By His doing, you are in Christ Jesus Who became to us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Because of His Life within us, we know how to pray. “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).
Because of His grace, we have the ability to say, “No” to temptation. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say, ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
In Asia, the refrigerator isn’t expected to be in the kitchen. But in Spirit, His glory is desperately needed nearby and within immediate access. We don’t have to beg God to show us His glory. His glory is right where we can reach Him best. Let’s step out now to believe His Word.