ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 TUSITE ‘EPELELI 14, 2026

1 TU’I 6-7; SAAME 50:7-15

All of our religious habits and practices are empty if the Lord doesn't dwell in the temple of our hearts.

‘E iku kula launoa ‘a e ouau fakalotu mo e ngaue kotoa ‘oku tau fai, kapau ‘oku ‘ikai ‘afio ‘a e ‘Otua ‘i he temipale hotau loto.

I was on a high mountain at a large Buddhist temple. Priests and iconic Buddhist images were everywhere. On an elevated platform in the main temple sat a huge golden Buddha, twelve to fifteen feet high. All around me were very sincere and religious people. They lit and strategically placed candles, got down on their knees, and bowed their heads nearly to the ground. You could sense their sincerity, awe, and joy at being there. The scene was both engaging and heartbreaking to me. The whole place was buzzing with religious fervor. Around me was the low drone of huge bells that the priests would ring. But, despite the religious activity and spiritual sincerity, the temple was, in reality, completely empty. It was empty of any divine presence, and the god that people worshiped was a sorry handmade replacement for the one true God.

Religion - spiritual habits, practices, and pursuits - is empty and meaningless if God is not the Lord who reigns over and is worshiped by the hearts of all its practitioners. True religion is about more than buildings, spiritual disciplines, or creeds. True spirituality is about the presence of God. If God isn't dwelling in the center of it, then despite all the visible elements of a religion, it simply isn't the real deal. 

In 1 Kings 6, as Solomon is building the temple (a huge time, money, and attention commitment), God reminds him of what is even more important than this historical religious edifice that he is about to construct. What is more important than this temple? God's dwelling in the midst of his people. That building would be empty of its meaning and purpose if the Lord did not dwell there. And the people of Judah would be without identity, purpose, power, or future hope if God didn't live in the midst of them as well.

This is true of every form of spiritual pursuit and practice. It all lacks purpose, power, and hope if God isn't central, dwelling as Lord in the midst of it. The thing that makes true religion true cannot be achieved by building edifices, achieving seminary degrees, or amassing large crowds. True religion is only ever a gift of God's grace, evidenced when a perfectly holy God dwells in the midst of his less than holy people and sanctifies them by his presence and power. In his presence we find identity, forgiveness, power for living, and future hope. Jesus paid our penalty so that we would be blessed to live in God's presence now and in the forever that is to come. God is not satisfied with buildings, degrees, or programs. He will settle for nothing less than being Lord of the temple that is our hearts.