In the days preceding the New Year, one word kept clamoring for my attention from surprising places – dwell.
So as my word-for-the-year marinated in heart and mind, I embraced both meanings of dwell: 1. to live and 2. to focus.
It soon became obvious that all too often I live amidst hurry and obligation, dwelling in anxiety and surrounded by noise. And where was my default focus — circumstances, lists, self-preservation, tasks, things?
Throughout the Bible God calls His people to dwell with Him constantly. He offers us a refuge and shelter and He fills it with a beauty and peace that is restorative. And, best of all, He sends Jesus Christ to dwell in our hearts and make His home with us forever!
Would you like some of that in your life?
And this same God invites us to dwell with Him!
How can we possibly do this? Sitting down is considered unproductive – we are a culture on the move! Believe me, friend, I know the challenges of making time for close communion with God in prayer and study – that’s why I try to focus on one word a day from God’s Word.
After all, we have certainly dwelt everywhere else — we give our time and resources to other places, people and projects without a second thought. And all along, God is there with us, offering us His continual presence no matter where our journey might lead.
Do you have a difficult appointment today? He’ll go with you. Do you cry yourself to sleep at night? He’s beside you, holding you close.
His constant presence is the greatest gift of all.
* By the way, the palm tree graphic with the title “Where Do You Dwell?” is a photo of an eagle’s nest in the shelter of a mountain in the Seychelles Islands!
1) Soaking in the Psalms ~ Savor 4 Psalms a week. This week’s Psalms are Psalm 77, 78, 91, and 100.
Remember, this is “active reading” – asking questions as you read, underlining key words and phrases, making note of things that come to mind. Journal about verses that speak to you. For more tips, see Five Simple Ways to Focus on the Words You Read.
2) Surfing through the Psalms ~ Read through the entire book of Psalms during our six-week study. This week, read Psalms 76-100. (which includes the “Soaking” Psalms — see above).
This week’s verse is Psalm 91:2 NLT ~ It’s in the graphic below and on our VBS Pinterest board.
If you’re just joining us – You can catch up by reading past posts on our Virtual VBS for GrownUp Girls® Archive page or by hitting the “back” button at the bottom of this post and scrolling through.
On Thursday I’ll be announcing a special giveaway — stay tuned!