“Do
you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” –
1 Corinthians 3:16
We often seek sacred spaces in temples, churches, and
mountaintops. But the true altar—the place where heaven touches earth—is found within. When quieted and cleared, the heart becomes the holiest sanctuary. It is where God meets us—not in grandeur but in intimacy.
Building an altar of the heart means creating a space
inside where the Divine can freely reside. It's not a physical place but a
mindset of openness and respect. The inner quiet invites Presence,
the daily turning inward that says: Here I am, Lord.
Clearing the Inner Temple
Most of us carry crowded hearts—full of distractions,
regrets, noise, and fears. Like the cluttered courtyards of the temple Jesus
once cleared, our inner space can become overrun with commerce: the trading of
identities, the bargaining of self-worth, and the busy rituals of proving and
performing.
To make inner space is an act of grace and intention. It is
choosing to turn from the outer chaos to the inner sanctuary. It’s not about
escaping life, but creating a center from which we can live it more deeply.
I remember a season of spiritual dryness, where prayer felt
hollow and meditation was filled with restlessness. One morning, instead of
striving to “feel” something spiritual, I simply sat and placed my hand over my
heart. I whispered, “This is Your altar.” No incense, no music, no effort. Just
presence. And slowly, I felt the warmth rise—not emotionalism, but communion.
The Divine had never left. I had only needed to make space.
What Lives on Your Altar?
Each of us has an inner altar, whether we’re aware of it or
not. The question is: What’s on it? Are we offering fear, control, or
anxiety? Or are we laying down love, trust, and surrender?
To make your heart an altar is to bring your whole
self—wounds, questions, hopes—and place them before the One who sees all. It is
to make your inner life sacred, not by perfection but by presence.
Jesus taught this way. He didn’t point people to a
building. He pointed them inward: “The Kingdom of God is within you.” He knew
that transformation begins in the heart, not in external rituals. And the
heart, when offered in sincerity, becomes the place of union.
Building Daily Rituals of Presence
Creating an altar of the heart isn’t about a one-time
experience. It’s about a way of being. You might begin your day by lighting a
candle and breathing deeply. Or taking a walk in silence, offering gratitude
for each step. Or simply closing your eyes and repeating the sacred name: IAM.
These are not tasks. They are openings. Moments when the
veil thins and the sacred shines through.
Expanded Reflection Practice
Find a quiet space and sit comfortably. Close your eyes and
bring your awareness to your heart center. Imagine a small flame glowing there.
This is your inner altar. Ask: What needs to be laid here today? It
could be a burden, a hope, a fear. Place it gently on the altar. Then say, “I
make space for You.” Rest in silence for 5–10 minutes. End with gratitude.
“When
the heart becomes an altar, every breath is a prayer.”
Is your heart
open as an altar?
Share your reflections and find guidance with others
walking the path.
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