Late this past spring, I found myself feeling a deep “soul weariness.” Soul Weariness can creep in after intense seasons of stress and often, on the heals of intense ministry. (Check out 1 Kings 19) In response to my own soul weariness, I decided this summer to make some intentional choices: I have set aside one day a month as a day to sink into the presence of the Lord, there my deepest longings and love needs are satisfied. Secondly, I have carved out what I call sacred space……..blocks of time in every day to simply sink into His presence. Thirdly, I am meditating on Psalm 84 which begins, “How lovely is your dwelling place.” Over the next week or so, I will be blogging some of my thoughts on Psalm 84. Each blog entry will give a new tip for soul refreshment. If you follow along, let me know your thoughts!

Psalm 84 begins, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.”

I am God’s lovely dwelling place. I am His sanctuary. Now granted, I don’t always feel like a lovely sanctuary: I’ve lost the sight in one eye, I’ve had a double mastectomy due to cancer and, I’ve had other surgeries due to cancer suspicions. (Each time, no cancer has been found. Praise God!) There are moments I wish my legs were longer or that my tummy was flatter…..sigh. Sometimes my sanctuary feels like a full time job….groan. But, the truth remains: I am God’s lovely dwelling place. How do I know this? 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells me I am the sanctuary of the Living God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells within me. When I feel weary or tired I don’t need to go to a sanctuary because I am a sanctuary. His presence resides in me! I can turn inward to experience the refreshment Christ offers through His presence. So what does this look like? I carve out times of quiet. I slow down. I stop doing. Instead, I create some space to simply be with the Holy One. I affirm His nearness. I relish His presence. I rejoice that He dwells within. I let the truth sink in: I am His lovely dwelling place.

Here are some questions to help you get started in viewing yourself as His lovely dwelling place:

• What bothers your most about your “sanctuary”?
• Does your sanctuary feel clean? If not, why not? (I Corinthians 6:11)
• Is there any attitude that is keeping you from experiencing God’s presence and peace? Read Psalm 139:23-24 as a prayer to the Lord. Ask God to uproot: Jealousy, hurt, bitterness, greed, selfish ambition, anger /rage.

Pray a prayer asking God to cleanse your sanctuary.

Sit still and be silent for a few moments. Receive His cleansing. Visualize your body as completely clean, a perfect place to host the presence of the Lord. Spend time praising God for His nearness. He lives within you!