“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” - Psalm 91:1 NIV
Last week, we had a conversation about how, in a world that tells us we are alone and have to hustle in order to provide for ourselves, Jesus invites us to a different way of living. Specifically, he invites us to “dwell” with him. This week I want to dive deeper into that concept of dwelling, and explore what it really means in our lives.
Most of us know what it means to dwell [live, reside] with other people. Whether with parents, grandparents, siblings, or another family arrangement, shared life is familiar to us (whether we liked it or not). If your experience was anything like mine, you know that when you live with other people, two things almost inevitably happen.
First, you see the good, the bad, and the ugly of people, and vice versa. There’s nothing like a shared space to reveal who people, and you, really are. Because of your proximity, you get to see what other people are really like in times of joy, stress and everything in between. Second, even in subtle ways, you become more like the people you live with. For better or worse, I have developed an appreciation for 70’s & 80’s music because of my brother Alec’s constant replaying of the classics on Spotify, and that’s one of the smaller ways in which he’s influenced me.
I think that this type of shared living is what Jesus’ invitation for us to “dwell” with him is all about. As opposed to just a quick prayer in the morning or going to church once a week, Jesus is inviting us to do life with Him. He wants us to invite him into those moments that only a person we live with would see—both the moments of unspeakable joy, and unbearable pain (and everything in between). He wants us to let Him in, and share every part of our life experience with him. I think that’s His invitation when, through the words of Psalm 91:1, He speaks about us dwelling in His shelter. For those who accept His invitation, he promises to give them rest.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest . . .”
He says to each of us who are restless, anxious, worn down by the story that our culture keeps pushing upon us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 NIV).
He invites us into a whole new way of living. Instead of anxiously hustling for commercial success or even for His approval (or the approval of others by the way), He invites us to “dwell” with him. To leave our restless house of cards, and enjoy the shelter of His presence. He invites you into this today.
HOW?
I struggle with accepting this invitation from Jesus. It’s hard for me to be vulnerable with God; to live in His shelter, asking Him to come into every part of my life, rather than just going to Him as an occasional visitor.
Something that has helps me in this journey was suggested to me by a friend a few months ago, and I want to ask each of us to try it this week:
Take 15 minutes on one morning this week and talk to God . . . except, don’t say any “thank you’s” or make any requests (no “T’s & G’s,” aka “thank you” and “give me”). In other words, simply share how you are really feeling on that particular morning (“Today I feel ___,” “I’m worried about ___” etc.). You can do this through writing (my personal favorite), or by taking a walk and talking, or some other way that makes sense for you. When you’re done, take a couple minutes to be silent, knowing that God has heard you and is with you no matter what you’re going through. He’s your shelter.
INVITATION
Instead of trusting the story that culture tell us, or that we often tell ourselves--that we’re alone, that we have to figure everything out for ourselves, that we’re unworthy, or that God is far away--what if Jesus is asking us to trust Him today, to dwell in His shelter and enter into His rest.
If you’re confused about where to start, have some questions about this devotional, want to dive deeper into who God has said He is in Scripture, or just want someone to pray for you, feel free to email me at ianreyes567@gmail.com, or another part of the Canyon Creek Project team at hello@canyoncreekproject.com.
Enjoy His presence this week.