If you walk into my house, the first thing you’ll probably notice is my attempt at tidying up. You’ll see clean floors, pillows placed in their proper corners of my couch, and possibly a clean counter. Looking a little closer, you’ll see baby toys shoved under the stairs, stacks of paper shoved behind the computer, and piles of shoes in a basket by the doorway. You’d need x-ray vision to see what else I’m hiding. Winter coats underneath the “pretty blankets”, a junk drawer filled with everything from recent birthday cards to “not-sure-if-these-still-work” batteries. You may even find hidden hot wheel cars and capless markers under the sofa.
A dwelling (noun) is defined as a place of residence. Where one lives. Where one sets their feet up at the end of the day. Where one hangs their hat and has coffee in the kitchen. We call it “home”. If you look at this same word, in the form of a verb “to dwell”- you’ll find that it’s meaning shifts ever so slightly. Here are some proposed definitions from varying sources:
dwell
And my personal favorite
5. to think, speak, or write at length about (a particular subject, especially one that is a source of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction).
If the person of Jesus is who I am dwelling IN, is He not also what I am dwelling ON?
Stuck in isolation, away from the people I love the most, the activities I crave for, and the life I’ve grown so accustomed to- I find myself looking more closely at my dwelling place. I realize that there’s a lot more that resides here than I thought.
Sure, I have bible quotes and encouragement on the walls, evidence of a “fun mom!” scattered on the floors and counters, and rich smells of dinner seeping from the kitchen. But there’s also bits of unfinished business, clutter, evidence of neglect, and on some days, a thick cloud of tension and depression from being stuck at home for so long.
What we see in our homes is highly reflective of what we feel in our hearts.
Hiding away my “junk” is hiding away from the very core of who I am. If the bits and pieces remain in my home, they become things I dwell with, dwell on, and they dwell within me. The only way to see things for their true value is to know my worth in Jesus Christ. In the same way, the only way to see the areas of my life that need to be let go or thrown away is to know my worth in Jesus Christ. He did not come to hang up more encouraging quotes on my walls. He came to unravel the distractions, to set up shop in my home, and help me focus on the right things for the right time. This means paying attention to that which doesn’t belong.
A dwelling (noun) is defined as a place of residence. Where one lives. Where one sets their feet up at the end of the day. Where one hangs their hat and has coffee in the kitchen. We call it “home”. If you look at this same word, in the form of a verb “to dwell”- you’ll find that it’s meaning shifts ever so slightly. Here are some proposed definitions from varying sources:
dwell
- to remain for a time
- to live as a resident
- exist, lie
- to keep the attention directed on
And my personal favorite
5. to think, speak, or write at length about (a particular subject, especially one that is a source of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction).
If the person of Jesus is who I am dwelling IN, is He not also what I am dwelling ON?
Stuck in isolation, away from the people I love the most, the activities I crave for, and the life I’ve grown so accustomed to- I find myself looking more closely at my dwelling place. I realize that there’s a lot more that resides here than I thought.
Sure, I have bible quotes and encouragement on the walls, evidence of a “fun mom!” scattered on the floors and counters, and rich smells of dinner seeping from the kitchen. But there’s also bits of unfinished business, clutter, evidence of neglect, and on some days, a thick cloud of tension and depression from being stuck at home for so long.
What we see in our homes is highly reflective of what we feel in our hearts.
Hiding away my “junk” is hiding away from the very core of who I am. If the bits and pieces remain in my home, they become things I dwell with, dwell on, and they dwell within me. The only way to see things for their true value is to know my worth in Jesus Christ. In the same way, the only way to see the areas of my life that need to be let go or thrown away is to know my worth in Jesus Christ. He did not come to hang up more encouraging quotes on my walls. He came to unravel the distractions, to set up shop in my home, and help me focus on the right things for the right time. This means paying attention to that which doesn’t belong.
Last night, my husband and I watched the first episode of The Chosen (a new video series streaming for free on YouTube until mid-April) and the very first time Jesus was shown in the series, he was saying “That’s not for you” to a woman who was clearly dwelling on the wrong things in her life.
This week, I’m going to be doing some spring cleaning. What am I dwelling in? What am I dwelling on? What needs to stay and become the focus of my life and what needs to be thrown out? No more hiding. I need to make decisions and commitments while I’m here without distraction, while I’m here in the middle of everything I try to avoid, and while He’s here with me:)
Pray
Father, I pray that my life and my home be a dwelling place for You. I want you to reside in my life and help me remove all the things that take my eyes off of your goodness. I want to see the good in every moment and every season. No one can truly help me see that but You. Open my eyes, open the doors of my heart, and do away with what doesn’t belong.
The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.- Psalm 27:4
Reflect
Do Something
If Christ were to “set up shop” in your home right now, write down three things He might do away with.
1.
2.
3.
(For this one, I think it’s important that we realize that God knows how hard these things are to let go. He isn’t a walk-into-the-room-and-rip-the-tv-off-its-stand house guest. He’s a gentle and kind Savior. He will help you to see how His love and His purpose for Your life is better:)
Take a prayer walk around your home and ask God to dwell within each room. Those rooms that He’s been absent from, ask Him to help heal those areas of your relationships to help make room for His grace to re-enter.
Further Reading
John 15:1-11 Remain in His love. Abide in Him.
Psalm 27:4, Psalm 26:8 Let God’s presence be YOUR dwelling place
Isaiah 33:16 Those who dwell with the Lord will be provided for
This week, I’m going to be doing some spring cleaning. What am I dwelling in? What am I dwelling on? What needs to stay and become the focus of my life and what needs to be thrown out? No more hiding. I need to make decisions and commitments while I’m here without distraction, while I’m here in the middle of everything I try to avoid, and while He’s here with me:)
Pray
Father, I pray that my life and my home be a dwelling place for You. I want you to reside in my life and help me remove all the things that take my eyes off of your goodness. I want to see the good in every moment and every season. No one can truly help me see that but You. Open my eyes, open the doors of my heart, and do away with what doesn’t belong.
The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.- Psalm 27:4
Reflect
- What do you dwell on the most in your life?
- When you’re at a loss, what do you turn to?
- What are you hiding away that might be something you could embrace, instead?
Do Something
If Christ were to “set up shop” in your home right now, write down three things He might do away with.
1.
2.
3.
(For this one, I think it’s important that we realize that God knows how hard these things are to let go. He isn’t a walk-into-the-room-and-rip-the-tv-off-its-stand house guest. He’s a gentle and kind Savior. He will help you to see how His love and His purpose for Your life is better:)
Take a prayer walk around your home and ask God to dwell within each room. Those rooms that He’s been absent from, ask Him to help heal those areas of your relationships to help make room for His grace to re-enter.
Further Reading
John 15:1-11 Remain in His love. Abide in Him.
Psalm 27:4, Psalm 26:8 Let God’s presence be YOUR dwelling place
Isaiah 33:16 Those who dwell with the Lord will be provided for
Listen
Better is One Day by Matt Redman
When You Walk in the Room by Kari Jobe
Bring Them to Dwell by Kari Banks (Me:)
Even now, You’re in the midst
And we’re Holding out for you
Still and bound by resting in what You’ve said
Reaching out for truth
Pressing in and praying in smaller spaces
Some of those spaces are dark
Send a light, illuminate tired faces
Put a fire in our hearts
Put a fire in our hearts
I can see how You’re using this season
To dry up the waters
To dig up new wells in us
You are here in the hands of Your people
When Your children are thirsty
We’ll bring them to dwell in all You are.
Calm it down. Steady our toiling hands
Bring us back to the garden
Slow the sounds. Let our eyes see the work of Your hands
May we be rested for the harvest
May we be rested for the harvest
In the homes of ever mother and father,
Every child of God, let us feel the
Mercy of Your Love, for so long we have sought her
Show us now that she is real
I can see how You’re using this season
To dry up the waters
To dig up new wells
You are here in the hands of Your people
When Your children are thirsty
We’ll bring them to dwell
For everything has a heavenly reason
You’re bringing us closer
You’re longing to dwell with us
MAKE ROOM room for the King in the Kingdom
The kingdom is thirsty, so dig up new wells in us.
Dry up the waters, God, Dry up the waters, God, Dry up the waters in us and Dig up new wells in us
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