A Simple Practice to Start Your Week

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.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you
- Psalm 84:1-4

A team of ancient worship leaders (“the sons of Korah”) put together this hit song to help people connect to God. They start the song with a very simple, practical meditation. They are in the temple worshipping and notice that little bird has found its way into the temple and has made its nest near the Lord’s altar. Instead of shooing the bird away, the worship leaders just reflect on that bird being, literally making its home in God’s house. And out of that simple meditation, this song was written.

See if you can find a simple way to meditate on nature today. Maybe it’s just looking at your house plant for a few minutes, maybe it’s driving down to the ocean on your lunch break to listen to the waves, maybe it’s walking around the block and looking up at the sky. But take this moment to really pay attention. Let your mind wander around, pondering God’s creativeness or whatever else helps you gain a bit of perspective on your life.

Finally, return to this Psalm, praying it out loud to end your time.