A Nourishing Dwelling Place

We have been recently reflecting on Psalms of Orientation that capture the goodness of God and the refuge found in spiritual life. Another way I like to think about orientation is rooting in a place of secure dwelling. Psalms 1 describes the process of dwelling for us as being like trees planted by the water filled up and producing fruit. 

Their delight is in the law of the Yahweh,
    and on Yahweh’s law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper. - Psalms 1: 2-3 

Like trees we need secure roots and nourishment. What does it even mean to have “secure roots” that lead to nourishment? 

Insecure Dwelling:

For some of us, dwelling in God has been an anxious place where we might feel pressured to “get it right” in fear of punishment or abandonment OR we feel like we already have it right and urge others to do the same. Although the roots might be strong, this type of dwelling can be hurtful to ourselves or those around us. This insecure dwelling leads to leaves that wither. 

Secure Dwelling: 

On the contrary, secure dwelling is where we orient to God’s safety and refuge. In this good place, we are nourished knowing that we are God’s beloved. We rest in the arms of our tender God who is with me, loves me, advocates for me, and comforts me. This type of dwelling yields fruit that prospers. 

Take some time today to reflect on where you find secure dwelling in God. For some of you this might come easy, for others, you might need to re-imagine God as good, loving, caring, stable, and safe. In your reflection, rest in a nourishing dwelling place--finding refuge in God who calls you “dearly beloved.”