Sunday, April 20, 2008

Word of the Week: Dwell

Dwell: to remain for a time; to live as a resident; to keep the attention directed upon>dwell on my fears> (m-w.com)

So we're back to WOTW posts and this word just drew me in this week. It's one of those that rolls around on your tongue and makes you wonder how in the world it ever made it's way into the English language. It's rich and multi-layered.

I love that God throughout history has always sought to dwell with mankind. From the garden to the wilderness, from the temple to the Babylonian captivity, till Jesus came and "moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14 MSG), and now through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God wants to be with us. And yet, he has done more than just take up residence among us. Not only does he want to be with us, his thoughts are toward us, dwelling upon us! We are the apple of his eye.

It occurs to me that it's possible to live somewhere and yet not really be there. You can live in a house but not make it a home. You can attend church without being church. You can be in a relationship without being fully engaged in it. You can profess to be part of God's family without being rooted and experiencing growth. Am I truly dwelling in, am I present in each and every relationship and situation God has ordained for me? Or am I merely taking up residence?

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really good Dianne. Really good. Lots to think about and like you said, very multi level and rich.

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

Great thoughts, Dianne. You've given me much to ponder. It's easy for me to be a "surface skimmer," rather than to truly dwell -- in relationships, in where God has placed me, etc.

Joan Baumgartner Brown said...

God dwelling with us. How truly incredible - and what an example for us. Thanks, Dianne. These were such good thoughts for me tonight.

Susanne said...

this was such a great post!