Allow God’s Word to Dwell With You
As much as I love having visitors stay with us as a family, there will inevitably come a moment when they will have to pack up and return to their homes to continue their lives and careers. Their visit will end, and their spaces will be empty as soon as they depart. Pleasant memories will remain, and we will look forward to a next time, somewhere in the future, when we will meet again for a season of hospitality and festive meals together. However, we cannot treat God’s Word as merely a beloved visitor in our lives.
Paul writes that the Lord’s message should be allowed to dwell among us richly, lavishly, and abundantly in his letter to the Colossian believers. The Good News of God’s love and saving power in the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus cannot become a pleasant memory of a brief visit in our consciousness.
To dwell means staying, living with, or cohabiting in the same space. It means that someone who resides is not a stranger or visitor but a family member who does not leave. This message of God’s amazing grace must remain amongst us abundantly, not to be forgotten but constantly nurtured and cultivated.
It is so easy to believe the lie of the devil that God does not care about us or wants to deprive us of a good life. A wise person allows the powerful words of God’s love and provision to indwell their hearts rather than occasionally visit. It is not enough to be reminded of God’s love once a week on Sundays at church. No way! Every day!
Throughout the day, the wise person allows the words of life to wash their consciousness so that no lie will get a hold of their emotions. How do you do it?
I am glad you asked. Paul’s writing is right there: “Teach and admonish each other constantly.” That is, constantly remind each other with all wisdom as you recite and sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts!
It is hard to be negative and complain when you fill your heart and mouth with songs of praise to God! I have found it challenging to be critical of others when I choose to be thankful for what I have.
Singing, even when it is off-key, moves us emotionally. When we choose praises instead of murmurings, we elevate our experience beyond the mundane into the potential of divine and miraculous realms.
Even if you don’t know what to sing or recite, pull out your Bible, turn to Psalm 100, and read it aloud. Fill your ears with words of joy as the psalmist declares praise to his God. Let the message of God’s goodness wash over you and lift you so you will, in turn, be able to lift others. You will be so glad you did.
Life is hard, but the wise person understands that the Word of God needs to indwell your heart, mind, emotions, room, home, and beyond. Don’t limit the Word of God to a weekend service at church. Let it indwell you and not merely visit you.
The wise person leverages the power of the message of Christ to lift them to the next level of living an abundant life! Today, be wise by singing songs and psalms of gratitude to the God Who loves you!
Excerpted from The Daily Christian: Wisdom by Iann Schonken.
Action Steps
- In a busy world, it is a real temptation to relegate engaging with the Word of God only on the weekend as we listen to a sermon and some worship songs. Paul challenged his readers to allow an indwelling of the Word of God rather than a mere occasional visit. Would you say that you engage with the Word of God daily or weekly?
- Do you tend to delegate the recitation and singing of psalms and spiritual songs to professionals like worship leaders and pastors? When was the last time you sang a spiritual song or hymn when it was not in a group at church, but rather, it was just you by yourself?
- Make a decision that you will get the Word of God into yourself every day and that you are going to declare your gratitude towards God in hymns, spiritual songs, and psalms. If you schedule time for this, you will wisely take responsibility for your spiritual wellbeing.
- Allow the Word of God to dwell with you richly rather than visit you occasionally. (smile)