Week Ten: Divine Indwelling. March 5 — God Within: The Mystery of Divine Indwelling

Gregg’s Reflection

This week we will contemplate the divine spark that is within everything created by God. And, that includes you, whether you believe it or not. Come along and discover what St Catherine of Genoa said, “My deepest me is God.”

When I first heard the phrase “God within,” it felt distant and abstract — a mystical idea reserved for saints or monks. My early Christian life was focused on learning the rules of faith and showing up for worship, not on recognizing God’s intimate presence in me. Yet, over time, I began to notice moments of quiet clarity, a deep peace in prayer, or a gentle nudge to act with compassion. These were more than emotions; they were hints that God’s Spirit was closer than I imagined — not simply above me or around me, but within.

I think back to a few wilderness hikes in Colorado when I’d stop to rest beside an alpine lake. The stillness in those moments often mirrored a stillness inside me, a sense of being completely held. That’s when I began to understand that God’s dwelling place isn’t limited to sanctuaries or mountaintops — it is also the human heart. The same God who formed galaxies has chosen to make His home in us. That truth changes everything about how we see ourselves and live our daily lives.

Divine indwelling isn’t about feeling holy all the time or avoiding mistakes; it’s about living from the awareness that God’s life is intertwined with ours. We carry His presence into the grocery store, into difficult conversations, and into our moments of solitude. When I forget this, I slip back into self-reliance. But when I remember, I move through the world with more courage, humility, and love — not because I’m strong, but because He is present in me.

Scripture

The Spirit of truth… you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:17

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

Ancient Quotes

God is nearer to us than our own soul.

Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love, ch. 57

You were more inward to me than my most inward part and higher than my highest.

Augustine, Confessions, 3.6.11

Modern Quotes

The divine presence is in every human being. This is not something we acquire; it is something we awaken to.

Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ, p. 33

God’s indwelling presence is the most basic truth of our existence.

Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart, p. 47

Journaling Prompts

• When have you most clearly sensed God’s presence within you?
  
  
• How does the idea of divine indwelling affect the way you see yourself today?
  
  
• In what situations do you most easily forget that God dwells in you?
  
  
• What practices help you remember God’s presence?

👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 10 Reflection: Divine Indwelling