God has whispered to my heart, “Dwell.”
My family of three moved to ten acres with a farmhouse this year. We are overflowing with ideas and pieces to the puzzle God has for this spot in our community. I can see all this place can be and I want to share it. I figured God would be saying, “Lots to do, girl. Let’s get busy.”
Dwell means to abide, nest, reside, stay and inhabit. God is calling me to make my home where He has planted me.
He’s inviting Himself in to make Himself at home.
God takes my hand like a patient Father and slows my pace to His as we walk in the garden. He’s not in any hurry with His vision and I feel grace pouring down on me like a much needed summer rain.
There is incredible tension in dwelling. God knows He’s made me fully capable for the vision He’s shared. He has made it clear we are blessed to share this place.
But God needs us more than He requires the completion of a plowed row, a guesthouse or a prepared table for others.
Dwelling is rest. It’s creating an atmosphere with the Holy Spirit of peace and beauty. But dwelling is not an easy word for a woman with vision to hear. I’m excited to be on the other side of the Jordan and into our Promised Land.
So, dwell? It can sound like defeat in our day of hustle.
Dwelling implies harmony not isolation. It’s with Someone. God wants me to be with Him. To dwell in the House of the Lord forever. To be about one thing — His heart.
I’m learning dwelling feels like art. Absorbing colors, making memories, stepping into the picture God is painting, not so worried about framing it up for presentation. Enjoying the seasons and beat of each unique day.
The point of a Promised Land is to dwell, to allow God to reign, and for the world to see us live differently. Dwelling is a little piece of heaven on earth.
Instead of complaining that the vision for our small farm hasn’t even begun and that I solo parent most weeks, I’m finding a posture of thankfulness. I’m working at being still to embrace the grateful heart God is trying to instill in me.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever. There’s no rush.
I’m called to find a rhythm in our daily lives and get in sync with what God has already done for us and what He is about to do. I desire to be at rest in the pace God has placed me in, becoming vital in the role between vision shared and vision experienced.
I want to worship Him through potty training, feeding chickens, washing dishes, planting seeds, and inviting others to join our simpler lifestyle.
When I’m out of sync with His beat — distracted, making plans, or just off tempo — it’s hard to hear and listen to His song of love for me, much less for those He wants me to love.
I want to learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Jesus told us to “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” {Matthew 11:28-30}.
What is grace? The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
A divinely given talent or blessing. The gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The condition or fact of being favored by someone — God.
To be accepted, esteemed, regarded, and respected. To have favor, goodwill, kindness, and generosity.
I want to learn how to live in that kind of Grace with the Grace Giver.
God, help me learn how to dwell.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Stephanie,
One of my very favorite words is “abide”…as in abiding (dwelling) in Christ and in God. It describes a nearness so close that nothing can wiggle its way between us. This is, I believe, what Christ desires with and from us. God didn’t make us because He needed something or someone – He was fully complete unto Himself. No, He created us to live in close relationship with us and in order to do that we need to slow down, lean in, and abide in Him. In doing so we are filled with a peace and love that surpasses understanding. I am so quick to try to “do” in order to be loved, but once again, God’s counter intuitive ways say, “Come here. Rest and dwell in me. This is what I made you to do.”
Blessings to you as you dwell in the place to which He’s brought you,
Bev
Michele Morin says
Those words: “the unforced rhythms of grace.” These I will carry through my Friday and into my weekend.
Jennifer Frisbie says
Not long ago I spent several months just studying about the word “abide.” While I hate to play favorites between the pages of His word, learning what it means to abide in Him as He abides in me has been one of the richest lessons for me. You tell it so beautifully here, Stephanie, and this post could quickly become a favorite of mine. Thank you for letting us have a peek into your life as you teach us to abide…to dwell…and to appreciate those unforced rhythms of grace. <3
Emily Austen says
Thank You! My Spirit rejoices with the melody of your song. Dwelling, Rhythmn, & Grace . . . What a peaceful balm to my world weary disjointness. Taking a breath . . . Dwelling.
Pamela says
I can’t begin to tell you how richly blessed I was having read what your heart so rhythmically penned. Truly AMAZING!
My husband has always referenced walking in the spirit as a dance. And your title literally took my breathe away.
Just yesterday my husband and I visited a homestead that if the Lord allows and have His blessings upon would love to acquire and call home for what time we have left here on earth. While on this farm we had the privilege of getting in the loft of a rather large beautiful old barn and such peace washed over our souls. We held each other and prayed. God was with us. And just yesterday morning I shared with a young mother who just had her first encounter with her momma hen hatching baby chicks. She was so blessed by this miracle. I shared with her how we need to always take time to feel the wind brush across our face, to pay attention to the colors, the smells, the feel of God’s splendor all around us. For those are His nuggets He gives freely to anyone that will allow themselves not to get so caught up in the day to day distractions and if but for a moment we can still our souls and give focus on our Creator, his creation and design for living, we will forever be blessed!
So thank you, and may all God’s children “Dwell in the Rhythm of HIS Marvelous Grace”.
Brenda Blaze says
Thank you so much for this beautiful post! I spoke deeply to my heart!❤️
Kelli says
Great and timely word. Abide was my word for last year and I am still learning all its nooks and crannies. Thanks for the invitation to dwell!
teresa jay says
I so look forward to these emails. I really enjoyed this article. We also have a small farm and it’s tough to find quite times alone with
God, but I try to start my day with prayer and devotion. The rest of the day we talk during chores. I love this life He has given me and I thank Him for it all the time!
G
Laurie B. says
Beautiful…!
Glenda says
“I’m learning dwelling feels like art. Absorbing colors, making memories, stepping into the picture God is painting, not so worried about framing it up for presentation. ”
This phrase really spoke to me. Thanks for inspiration!
'Cartoon lady' Joy Thacker says
I love love love this thought. He’s inviting Himself in to make Himself at home. God speaks to us all so individually when He’s at home in our lives. Blessings to you as you dwell. 🙂
Calista Baker says
I’m considering your words in light of grace and resting in the place God has lead me to dwell. Much like the Israelites wandered because of sin before being allowed to enter their promised land, my husband and I have come out of a period of wandering. There is the temptation to rush into ministry and service, but we have become aware of the necessity to simply dwell (abide, nest, reside, stay and inhabit) for a bit. Resting in God builds much needed relationship with Him and each other as well as strength for the days ahead. You’ll find me standing face up in God’s sweet grace rain without my umbrella. 🙂
Pearl Allard says
As the saying goes, we are human beings not human doings. Thanks for confirmation of lessons being learned.
Rebecca L Jones says
Absorbing color, art and music, oh, yes. That’s rest and peace. And I like the Message translation of Matthew 11:28-30. And dwelling is all about His heart. I’m glad we are learning to rest, His rest. Thanks for the beautiful post!
Theresa says
Lord, teach us to be still and embrace a thankful heart. To begin to learn to abide in you and not flit away after a few seconds.
An says
Stephanie, I praise the Lord for your tender words and those of everyone who has posted. How I need to learn to rest, to dwell, that the Lord doesn’t call me to do when He is asking me to dwell. Thank you for saying “Dwelling implies harmony not isolation. It’s with Someone. God wants me to be with Him. To dwell in the House of the Lord forever. To be about one thing — His heart.” Its such balm in busy times 🙂 May The Lord’s peace be upon each us, teaching us to dwell 🙂
Beth Williams says
Stephanie,
I love the title of your post. I’m slowly learning to move in the rhythm He has planned for me. “He’s not in any hurry with His vision for me.” That is hard pill to swallow for this hyperactive gal. I want to go & do. Would love to know the next step. Like you said He wants us for relationship. He needs for us to stop and abide with Him-just be still and talk with Him. Get into His sync rhythm.
Blessings 🙂 P.S. Congratulations on the farmhouse@!!
Julie Garmon says
DWELL. Such a beautiful word…. thank you. It might just be my word for 2017.
Jean says
Thank you Stephanie for sharing your heart. God’s timing is perfect. It is what I needed to hear.