When you hear the word “dwell,” you might initially think of a house or place of living, which is a fitting word to describe how the Word of Christ should be in our lives. My golden retriever, Obi has grown a lot which means he sheds so much more. Five minutes after sweeping, Obi tosses a few more tumbleweeds all over the living room, and I am nonstop sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning the house. For Paul to use the word “dwell” was fascinating because scripture should dwell in my life and never stop cleaning me like how I clean my house. When I dive into God’s Word every day, I find confidence, joy, and patience so much easier! I understand my values and identity more and more as I read scripture.
Allowing the Word of Christ to dwell in me richly can be difficult when I get tired or busy, but then I am reminded that like the floors of my house, I am in constant need of someone to care for me. That might seem silly, but scripture should take priority in our lives, even if it is not reading and highlighting verses and looking for cross-references and commentary. Today, you can take one verse and let that dwell in your heart, memorize it, question it, and chew on it. When we give space and time for God’s Word in our lives, we can understand how God is moving in our lives more everyday!
After reading this, I want to encourage you to open that dusty Bible or that unopened app and start letting God’s Word dwell in your heart. Let us prioritize the Word over the busyness and just see how God begins to straighten and clean your life.