Every Place Can Be a Thin Place
By Whitney Hopler
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16, NIV
Recently, I traveled to Ireland to participate in a powerful prayer retreat with people from all over the world. We met at a nature sanctuary that has been dedicated to God as a sacred place. The gorgeous green hills and ancient trees that surrounded us brought to mind the Irish concept of thin places. A thin place is a location where the space between the heavenly and earthly dimensions seems closer than it usually does. In a thin place, Celtic culture says, we can perceive God’s presence with us especially well. It’s a place where the atmosphere makes it easy to connect with God. During the retreat, I sensed God’s presence in such wonderful ways that I didn’t want to leave! I was concerned that leaving that special place – that thin place – would make me feel distanced from God. But then I remembered that the only reason I had felt so close to God at the retreat was that I had intentionally focused on God there. I realized I can pay close attention to God in other places, too, by just reminding myself that God is with me there. Every place can be a thin place for me, since God’s Holy Spirit lives in my soul. The same is true for everyone who has received the Holy Spirit.
The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 of a wonderful reality: we are God’s temple, and his Spirit dwells within us. We are the sacred spaces where God chooses to live!
The significance of this is monumental. It means that connecting with God is not confined to a particular place or time. We don’t need to be in a church, a quiet room, or any designated holy site to experience God’s presence. Wherever we are, God is with us. Throughout all the ordinary moments of our daily lives, the extraordinary presence of God’s Spirit is there. Knowing that we are God’s temple means that we carry God’s presence with us always. This truth calls us to connect with God on a regular basis. In moments of joy or sorrow, in times of stress or peace, God is accessible to us. We can notice God’s presence with us and communicate with God in prayer and meditation anywhere and anytime.
As God’s temple, we are called to live in a way that honors God’s presence within us. Our thoughts, words, and actions should reflect the holiness of the holy God who lives in us. This is not about striving for perfection, but about being mindful of our connection to God and letting it shape our lives. Understanding that we are God’s temple should also transform the way we relate to other people. When we recognize that every believer carries the presence of God within them, we begin to see others through the lens of sacredness. This perspective encourages us to treat each other with respect and kindness as we acknowledge the divine presence within each believer.
We often search for God in extraordinary experiences like traveling to thin places but miss the ordinary moments where God is with us. Remembering that God’s Spirit lives within us assures us that we are never alone. Whether we are at home, at work, or anywhere else, we can connect with God. Being God’s temple means embracing a lifestyle of worship and connection with God. It means inviting God into every aspect of our lives, paying attention to the wonder of God’s work, and allowing his Holy Spirit to guide us in all situations. We don’t have to travel to a special place to find God. Everywhere we go, God goes with us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you reflect on how you can connect with God anywhere, reflect on these questions:
- How does knowing that you are God’s temple change your perspective on where and how you can connect with God?
- In what ways can you cultivate a sense of God’s presence in your everyday life?
- Are there specific places where you feel especially aware of God’s Holy Spirit within you? How can you bring that awareness into other areas of your life?
- How can your awareness of being God’s temple impact the way you treat yourself and others?
- What steps can you take to help your life reflect the holiness and love of God who dwells within you?
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
John 14:23
Ephesians 2:21-22
Romans 8:9
Galatians 2:20
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nghia-Le
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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