Making Room For Holiness

By: Grace Shiflett

“And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.” 2 Kings 4:9

In these verses we read about the Shunammite woman. If you’re not familiar with her story, I would encourage you to take the time to read everything the Bible records about her. I want to challenge your heart from the example she set for us and from the beautiful insight we’re given into her desires. God called her a “great woman.” But why?

For one thing, she was not intimidated by holiness. Elisha, the man of God, represented holiness, and she wanted that holiness brought into her home. Today, many people avoid holiness. Some are even uncomfortable with it and keep their distance. But for this great woman, the presence of a holy man of God stirred her toward love and good works.

She was no stranger to holiness, and she was willing to make real changes in her home to accommodate it. She even took the time to talk it through with her husband, understanding how important unity was when it came to what they would allow into their home. She was willing to invest in holiness—because making room for it was costly. She wanted her home to be a place where holiness was not only welcome, but comfortable.

By building a room onto her house for the man of God, she was willing to change what her home looked like—both to those inside and to those outside. God used her desire for holiness to help guide the direction of her household.

The Bible says, “and she constrained him to eat bread.” This great woman urged the man of God to stop, and she would not take no for an answer. She did not want holiness to pass by her house without coming in. The first time, she had to urge him—but after that, she didn’t. “And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.”Once you decide to welcome and accommodate holiness in your home, it becomes easier over time.

So what changes might need to be made in your home for holiness to be welcome and familiar? Are you willing to pay that price? And can you imagine the long-term benefit to your family if you do?