Something to Dwell On

Lucky me has been at the beach all week. Taking in the sounds. Watching the waves roll in. Soaking up the sun (not too much though considering this fair skin of mine). I loved every minute of it. The beach is one of my favorite places in the world to be. I'm not sure how to explain it. It sets up the perfect setting for peace for me. It's like as soon as I step on the sand and hear that sound of the waves crashing, I am immediately calmed.

Well I've been reading this book called Lady in Waiting (which I highly reccommend to any unmarried woman) and at the end there are devotions so that even when you've finished the book, you can still apply it to your life. I found it no coincidence that when I returned from vacation the next devotional was titled "The Lord Our Dwelling Place", an exert from a book by Hannah Smith. With this she talks about how The comfort of our outer body depends highly on where we are dwelling or where we are at but the comfort of our inner self is based on where our soul is dwelling. As humans we are designed for God but even more than that, as Christians we are PART of God. We ARE God's. He is in us. We are in Him. So naturally our soul longs to dwell in Him. To rest in Him. To abide in Him. But our flesh just has to get in the way. Our culture consistently teaches us to be busy, get things done, take care of business, don't be patient, take action. None of which are in of themselves bad. However when this lifestyle takes over and we forget to dwell in our Creator, it ends up being poisonous to peace and joy and the comfort of our souls.

As Christians we have already committed our souls to Christ and have a place to dwell in Him where there is peace and comfort and joy regardless of our circumstances and conditions of our outward body. Imagine you had this beautiful home. A place you felt safe, in a nice neighborhood, with good shelter, air conditioning, a pool, hottub, with a beautiful view. I mean the most amazing house you could ever imagine. But every couple weeks you decide to go spend a week at a shelter downtown where it's hot and you have to sleep with your important things close, a place where you constantly have to worry about being hurt. Seems kind of rediculous huh? Well I don't know about you but when it comes to the dwelling place of my soul, I often find myself neglecting my beautiful home and spending time at the downtown shelter.

Psalm 65.4: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfiew with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple!

For me, it has to be a constant reminder, a daily choice, a routine committment. I am not going to worry. I choose to live in the peace of Christ instead of the worry and uneasiness of the world.

Psalm 45.10: Be still and know that I am God

Phil. 4.6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

So if your like me and you often vacate to that downtown shelter or maybe you've made it your personal home, don't forget to dwell in the presence of the Lord by dwelling upon His Word, His Promises, and His Plan.

Hannah Smith finishes up with this quote, "The truth is, our souls are made for God. He is our natural home, and we can never be at rest anywhere else." Join me in daily making the choice to dwell in the presence of the Lord and enjoy His peace, joy, and ultimate comfort!