Today’s scripture: Psalm 87 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
A place where God is praised and glorified! Where people feel energized, relaxed, joyful, enriched! Where there’s an almost indescribable feeling of well-being — fertile ground to grow your soul. Zion, where lovers of God gathered, sounds like such a setting!
There’s something incredibly special about a place where God dwells. Since God is love, it reminds me of my grandparents’ house on the farm in Illinois (a special locale I’ve mentioned a few times before in Be Still and Know devotionals). When we got off the highway after driving for almost three hours and knew we’d be arriving in just a few minutes, everything became more vivid, more relaxed, more alive. The bean fields, the familiar neighboring farms where friends of my grandparents lived — it all teemed with warmth and security. And when we finally pulled into the driveway, we were home, even though we were miles away from where we lived. When my spouse, Dan, and I drive to his lake cabin in northern Indiana, we feel a similar joy. The same holds true when we drive by our old house, full of happy memories. And, when I round the corner to go to church on Sunday morning, the same thing!
But isn’t it true that one place, in and of itself, is no more special than another? Aside from the physical beauty of, for example, Hawaii, aren’t all locations equal — spiritually? Yes, I think so. So what makes Zion and the others so special? I think the answer is that the mind works by way of association. When a tremendous amount of deep love and connection to God and to people happens in a particular place, we naturally become endeared to it.
So what are your cherished places? What is it that makes them so special? What cherished memories do you have, and how do they inspire you to shine your light, wherever you go (special place or not!)?
Thought for the day: Thank God for special places that refresh and strengthen our souls!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.