Once a month at our church here in Portland, Oregon we have what we call our “Dwell” night. It is an entire evening set aside to come together as a church family and dwell in His presence through worship and adoration. It is such a special and deep time for everyone who comes as they experience deep spiritual awakening, healing, intimacy, and peace.
This month’s Dwell night was especially memorable. Together we began worshipping to the song, “Center” by Bethel Music. There is a hook in the song that goes like this,
Oh, how I love You
Oh, how I love You
Jesus, I love You
Oh, how I love You
Oh, how I love You
(Jesus, I love You)
So, so simple, and yet every time we began to sing this part it was as if we were taken right into the heart of God and experienced His love for us and ours for Him in the most tangible way. The room became filled with the deepest expressions of love and yet in such a simple and pure way.
Since that night, merely two weeks ago now, those simple lyrics have been echoing through my soul— like an ongoing love song between me and my Savior. As this has been happening I feel the longing of the Lord to bring his people back into the pure simplicity of love. His affections toward us are so deep and as we experience them we are washed, awakened, renewed, and purified.
There have been so many disheartening reports within the body of Christ and so many grievous events throughout the nations in the past year. These disruptions can leave us dwelling on things that weigh us down rather than allowing us to be lifted up.
Yet, as we dwell in His presence, which is filled with perfect love, peace, and beauty— we are renewed! Perfect love comes into what appears to be perfect storms— and there He speaks, “Peace be still.”
He is inviting us into set apart times to stop, to dwell, to gaze, to breathe, and to be held until we are exchanging burdens for beauty. He Is also reminding us that we can dwell throughout each day and night in the sea of his love that washes, renews, and heals us.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
Oh, how we love you!
Listen to Bethel Music’s worhsip song Center here.
Kathi’s new book SEVEN LETTERS, has just been released. Within the pages of this book is the counsel of the Lord for His Church— yesterday, today, and forever.
Purchase here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
Featured Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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