The Places God Dwells

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2

Where do you go to meet with God? A comfy chair in a quiet room in the morning? A group of people gathered around the dinner, or in a living room opening the Scriptures on a weekday evening? A church service on a Sunday?

Over the years, I have discovered some sacred places – in my home, some in other’s homes, and others in various places around Salisbury and Rowan county – places where I go with the anticipation of meeting with God. But there are a few places a little further away that have often served as what I would describe as thin places, something the ancient Celtic Christians referred to as places where heaven and earth seem to touch and where the presence of God feels more evident. The beach and the mountains in general often serve as such places for me.

Ironically, my last two weeks have been spent in both places, starting with a beach vacation with my family following Easter, and a retreat and conference in the mountains over the last week. (Just a little side-note here. As I arrived to Windy Gap, near Weaverville, NC, on Monday evening, I was greeted by snow. Although it was beautiful, it was also a reminder of how badly I’m ready for Spring to arrive and stay!). And in both places, God has been gracious and faithful to meet with me as I’ve sought to meet with Him.

Where are your places? While the Scriptures are clear that there is not a place exists where God somehow doesn’t dwell (Isaiah 66:1-2, Psalm 24:1-2, Colossians 1:16-17) – meaning, He is everywhere – there are certain places where our eyes are opened a little wider and our hearts made a little more sensitive to God’s presence not only in that place, but everywhere. But it’s only in going to these places that we can see, experience and be confident of God’s presence elsewhere.