What would you say if someone asked you, “How do you know that God comes and makes His dwelling within you?” (John 14:23). Do you believe this to be true? That God wants to make your heart and soul His dwelling place? If so, how does this happen?
Children seem to get it. They seem to understand that God dwells in their hearts. Of course, if you asked them how they know this they may look at you with a confused look and not know how to respond. But nonetheless, somehow, they do understand that God dwells within them.
By the gift of faith, we, like little children, just know that God wants to dwell within us. We know that He wants to possess our souls, speak to us, strengthen us, lead us and guide us. We know, by the gift of faith, that God is real and desires the deepest and most intimate relationship with us. We just know.
The good news is that faith leads to understanding. This means that the more we are attentive to the voice of God speaking within us, leading and guiding us, the more we begin to understand His indwelling presence. As St. Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of faith is to see what you believe.” Faith in God’s indwelling presence leads us to the answer of the question above. The answer is one that God and God alone can give to us. We can share our faith with others, give witness to His presence in our lives, and give those around us the answer to that question through faith. How do I know God dwells within me? Because I see Him there, I speak to Him there, and He speaks to me.
