“Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

In the 17th century, George Swinnock said that a Christian should regard “his shop as well as his chapel as holy ground.”*

Here is what he meant. We often think of church buildings as “holy ground.” We might also think of a special location as “holy ground” if we were somehow given a great insight about the meaning of life.

However, many of us are less likely to think of our residences, workplaces or schools as holy ground.

Not all places are the same. But Swinnock’s point was this. We can serve and glorify God no matter where we are—whether in a chapel or going about our daily tasks.

I think that’s helpful.

You can serve and glorify God as you study.
You can serve and glorify God as you clean.
You can serve and glorify God as you work diligently.
You can serve and glorify God as you run a household.
You can serve and glorify God as you go to and fro.

If you are in Christ you are holy. That doesn’t mean you’re perfect. It means you are set apart for a special, godly purpose.

Right where you already are.

A Christian should regard “his shop as well as his chapel as holy ground.”

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Notes:

–*Joel R. Beeke and Michael Reeves, Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2022), 48.

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week and returns on July 17, 2023.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.