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, 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,
Your word dwell is much like my favorite word, “abide”. Intrinsic in both words is a willingness to stay put, to be at peace, to lean in close to God and resist the tug and pull of the frenzied world that says we must do things faster. When I think of dwelling I think of being at peace – accepting what is, and not frantically wishing for what comes next. As humans, it has become counter-intuitive for us to stay put and dwell. The next chapter in the book will come soon enough. Applauding your intentions to dwell in, and enjoy the moment.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Michele Morin says
Like you, Stephanie, I am busy learning the difference between still and stagnant.
I’m thankful for the camaraderie of your own story of accepting God’s curriculum for receiving His love on an ordinary, mundane Monday.
Lynn Trahan says
Thank you Stephanie, you should write a whole book on dwelling in the rhythm of His grace, I would read it. We have become full time RVers and can’t leave the driveway because of the delays in selling our house. Dwelling in the driveway is not easy when you are dying to hit the road, so I feel your pain at not being able to rush ahead with your vision for your farm. God bless and thanks for sharing the fact that we aren’t the only ones being taught to slow down and hold His hand.
Sincerely,
Lynn Trahan
Brianna says
Stephanie, this is so beautifully said, and how easy it is to rush rush rush, rather than dwell. What an eye opener. I love that word dwell. There is a peace about it. Thank you for sharing!
Brenda says
Thank you, Stephanie. This is my first week home since retirement, and I needed this. His timing is always perfect.,
Lynn says
Whoa! I thought I was doing well, just not getting enough done in our fixer-upper, or with our high-needs child, or getting a blog going, or spiritual disciplines. God is speaking to me through this post. I thought I was giving myself grace about it, but . . . . Here I am Lord, speak.
Thank you, for this post.
Lazondral Nelson says
Now that was refreshing like cold water on a hot day! I believe that is what God is calling me to do. Thank you for the confirmation!
Bonnie Jean Fulcher says
I love the phrase you used… “Learning to Dwell in the Rhythms of Grace.” That is what my heart, mind, body and soul long for. I have been through several years of physical, emotional, and financial hardship and wondering what God has in mind for me in the next phase of my life. I have been dreaming for years of a farm such as yours and have been open to the Lord’s leading. I have looked into the possibilities and how it would fit for my family of four… and when is the right timing… and where would He have me go. I am praying that He will make the way clear. Recently, an opportunity came for us to stay in a place, a condo in a nice area… and although it is obviously not a farm… I felt clearly that it was the first step of faith on the journey to the farm or to where God’s Promised Land is for us. It is a place that is far nicer than where we are, but in God’s goodness, will cost far less. It is close to the places we need … within walking distance of many… and yet is very private… with beautiful trees and landscaping… set apart for us to “dwell in.” A place of peace and rest… for us to dwell in, to nest in, to abide in. I feel as if God led us here for a time of healing and restoration, to learn to dwell in the rhythms of Grace so that we will be ready for the next step… the small farm we dream of. Most of my life I was always in a rush to get on to the next thing… or when I got an idea or plan in my mind… I wanted to push forward… to forge ahead. But this often led to poor choices in the rushing and to long detours of hard lessons. So your words are just what I needed to hear… and give words to what I am learning to live.
Mardi Benson says
Thank you Stepanie! Enjoyed reading this very much!
Ashley says
I’ve been hearing a very similar message from our Father. Your reflections remind me of this quote I read last week from Ann Voskamp: “It takes courage to listen with our whole heart to the tick of God’s timing, rather than march to the loud beat of our fears”. The unforced rhythms of grace.. as a percussionist I can relate to how much better I play when I relax into the rhythm and feel it in my body, instead of trying too hard to keep up.
Thank you for these words.
Jacqui says
I love this Stephanie. I am a pupil of the unforced rhythms of grace!
Like Lyn, I too am at The Jordan waiting for the sale of my home to go through and have faced delays, but God’s whisper has been to let go of my timescale, my agenda and surrender it all to Him and His timing! In the waiting I will rest and dwell absorbing colours, making memories and step into the picture of God’s painting when He reveals more of it to me !
Ada Joe says
« …God help me learn how to dwell… »
And I add…LORD give me a place to dwell and a divine partner to dwell with to fulfill your purpose and to birth thé Heritage you have ordained for me to birth I pray in Jesus name Amen
Thanks for sharing this Stephanie…I am in a place where I am seeking God’s grace and help to dwell, rest and have a home in one place having moved a lot over the last decade and this speaks to my soul…
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I love the rhythm of each new day and as I grow older find it easier to appreciate living in the moment and not in tomorrow, it will be here soon enough. I do believe in sewing into tomorrow and planning and working for goals, but not at the expense of skating through today without taking notice of what it has to offer me now. I am so glad God tells us to be still, and to sit at His feet. He knows what we need most.
Beth Williams says
Stephanie,
You and I are so alike. I’m tired of the frenzied, frantic way of living. I long for the simpler life of farming. God calls us to dwell with Him at His pace. No more rushing through life trying to get to the next thing. He is calling for us to have peace & a calm about ourselves. All of Jesus’ teachings turn the world upside down. May I learn to dwell & enjoy each day-each moment. I need to find my rhythm of grace & dance with God on this journey called life!
Blessings 🙂
Rebecca Jones says
I want to be with the Grace giver too, lovely post, Stephanie.
Jessica says
My 2018 word is ABIDE and I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time with it! Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone in my struggle to surrender to God and enjoy my Lord. ‘There is great tension in abiding.’ I LOVE that insight and this devotion ! Thank you!!