We count on our home as our secure place of belonging–a place of undisputed security where we can rest.

Home may also be a learning place where we get our rough edges rubbed off safely. Like children, we learn to get along in life—to share, cooperate, and apologize.

Jesus’ Abiding Place

Now, think about our relationship with Jesus, who has chosen to abide in us.

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

~Ephesians 3:17 AMPC

At our church, we sing a praise song about making space or room for Christ. What a wonderful picture. By taking this attitude, we can experience His abiding presence and perceive what He wants to do next.

Our Key to Success

Roll your works upon the LORD [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will,] and so shall your plans be established and succeed.

~Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

When we fully commit our work to God, He promises to bring our thoughts into agreement with His will and cause them to succeed. What a wonderful deal. Because of my personality and history, I’m tired of figuring things out. Nothing sounds better than trusting Him to bring me to agreement with Him and make my plans succeed, which then become our plans.

My Example

I’m depending on this promise for my fiction writing. My first book involved a long, eight-year process to reach publication, but it was the most joyful time of my life. Joy was my strength, and my hope never flagged as I learned the art of bringing the story in my heart to life in a novel.

Then, I began a sequel. The farther in, the more trouble I had until everything ground to a halt. The joy was gone. I dreaded sitting down to write. I had no other choice but to take a break.

A few months later, I’m prayerfully thinking about this project again. As I’ve waited, the Lord may be causing my thoughts to become “agreeable to His will.” He’s brought some resources across my path that will help me go deeper into the emotions involved in the plot. And even more important, my knowledge of His loving presence has increased. Now I also know I would take the experience of His personal love over the completion of any project.  

Let the fact that Jesus abides in you bring you joy and gratitude. Let His presence in you birth hope and energize your actions. God is our secure place of belonging. 

Dear Jesus, thank You for residing and making your home in me. I trust You and Your Spirit to work inside me until my thoughts agree with Yours so we can move forward as partners. I love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Our Secure Place of Belonging: Caroline Powers: All Rights Reserved