Where Exactly Is The Secret Place?

     Heard from Father this morning, just as I was walking passed the blue tooth speaker in the kitchen and heard the words from United Pursuit with Will Reagan: "I am not alone, Your heart is my home." I've heard that song umpteen times, maybe even daily, as our habit is to keep worship music playing in the house all day long. But, you know how it goes, this time the Lord had something He wanted to download into my spirit.

     Throughout this very peculiar and strategic season of life, I have been focusing on and deeply contemplating the meaning of Psalm 91, even to the degree that I have its words hanging above almost every sink in my house. It has caused me to further analyze its content. If you haven't read it lately, I suggest you do so. Certain words have arrested my attention... words like "dwell" and "secret place." I have been seeking the Lord for a deeper and richer understanding of them.

     Early on, I looked up the definition of "dwell" and "dwelling" to help me get a better grasp of its meaning. Basically, to dwell is to live or stay as a permanent resident; to reside; to live or continue in a given  condition or state; to linger over; to emphasize; or to ponder in thought, speech, or writing. While a dwelling is defined as a building or place of shelter to live in; a place of residence; an abode; or a home.

     So, one might easily (or not) come to the conclusion as I have that the entirety of Psalm 91 appears to be contingent on dwelling in the secret place, as if those who do not, are not qualified to claim in confidence the remainder of the chapter. Interestingly, most Christians take for granted that those words necessarily apply to all children of God. But, I don't see it to be that way. On the contrary, I think we are remiss to assume so, and in so doing, one must disregard verse one, or not believe it, or something. I think only those who choose to dwell there in the shelter ("secret place") will be the ones who actually will abide in the shadow of His mercy seat and favor. Granted, I am sure that is not a popular message, but I'm not interested in being popular; I just want to believe what the text says.

     We, at least in America, don't really use the term "dwell" or "dwelling" very often so it took me a little time to really wrap my brain around its concept. But, it's a worthy question to entertain: what does it mean to dwell? In talking with some friends the other day, I heard myself define it in this way: "To dwell is not really about something you do, as much as it's a posture of the heart."

     If, in fact, a dwelling is a place of residence, or a shelter, home, or abode, then it hit me today how easy it is to dwell. I am already doing it in the natural! I dwell in my house! I'm not even working on it; I'm just being! And, while here, I get to enjoy all the amenities that make up my abode. I have also heard it described that the "secret place" is really a way of referring to the heart of God.

     Turns out it's not hard to dwell, at all. When I think of where my heart is postured, what I know is that it is not looking at or being shaped by the world's ways of being or doing or thinking. I do not want the things that the world has to offer, nor do I desire to bring attention to myself. Whatever would that be for? I see them both as being utterly futile and without attraction. My heart wants the heart of God. Nothing less.

     After experiencing that lightning bolt of truth delivered through the words of that song, I sat in the nearby chair to listen to more of Father's encouragement to me. What I heard next seems too simple to have eluded my attention before now, but He spoke to me about the significance of being a good steward of my abode and using it well for what we have labeled to be "hospitality." Really, my home gets to be a microcosm of His heart. When I invite someone into my home, or abode, I am essentially inviting them into His heart, speaking in the spiritual realm. I think it is why I feel a desire to beautify my abode, and to make it appealing and relaxing to visitors. I am eager to show them the place where I take up my shelter. Bottom line: when my dwelling is a reflection of His heart, I want to share it.

     There is way more which I heard, and for which I doubt I can find adequate words to give full expression to it. Essentially, I feel more grounded in what it actually means to "dwell" in the secret place. Now on to the part about confidently walking in the "fullness of the rest" of (get it?) the encouragement of Psalm 91.