would you build me a house to dwell in?

2 Samuel 7:8-11

This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you.

Will you make me a house too? 

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Home looked different form month to month on the race. One month 17 of us crowd into a room with a little bunk bed for each of us, the next my team and I are living in individual bed pods in a nice hostel. But from there, you’re back in a stuffy room-this time an attic- where 12 of us share 9 mattresses.

Much like the Israelites, packing up camp and heading into the unknown just became part of the gig. As we moved routines shifted based on schedules and we adapted. We found new places, ways, and times to conduct team times and quiet times. 

When the Israelites spent all that time familiarizing themselves with the greater Middle Eastern desert regions, they followed a strict decorating structure. They were all quite particular on where they pitched their tents. I won’t get into the whole set up and who was by who, but it’s important to note that the Ark of the Covenant- the dwelling place of the Spirit of God during the Old Testament- also had it’s own tent. Regardless of where they went, the Israelites made certain that the tent of the Lord was set up properly. 

After years of traveling and many battles later, the Israelites finally secured the land that God had promised them. The people of God were finally able to settle in real, permanent homes. 

Naturally, the Israelites became comfortable. And sometimes, when we get too comfortable, we forget about the God that brought us through the uncomfortable. It wasn’t until a few years into this national settlement, during King David’s reign, that the Lord asked something so simple, yet so profound, to David. “Would you build me a house to dwell in?” 

A house. A home. The King of Heaven needs a home. How many Kings do you know of that would politely ask for a home after slumming it in a tent for over 40 years? 

For those of you not counting, today marks exactly 2 months since my feet hit “home” again. Sometimes being home is the best, but sometimes I feel as lost as the Israelites when they were circling the desert. Also like the Israelites, I’ve settled, I’ve become comfortable, and I’ve began to fall into a sufficient mindset. And if you’ve ever been here, you know what follows after that. Even though I’m not living out of a packing cube anymore, I feel unstable. Flighty, ready to run at any moment, untethered. Anxiousness and doubts creep in, did the race really even happen? Old habits attempt to lure me in, did I even change?

And I have to accredit these feelings of uncertainty to one thing: me and my lack of discipline-the subconscious belief that I can handle all this change on my own. I haven’t wanted to sit with the Lord since I’ve been home because I KNOW it’s going to hurt. There’s going to be tears and pain that will be brought up as I process the end of the race, and sometimes I’d rather flee completely and act like the race never happened, than sit and work through leaving it.

But as if David, the Lord asked me something so simple yet so profound this morning. “Would you build me a house to dwell in here?”

Its time I prioritize making Him a home here. Here in Alabama, and here in my heart. I’ve let him kick back in a tent in the backyard of my mind for two months too long. 

I think back to when I saw Him as Healer in Africa, or Teacher in Myanmar, or Friend in Thailand and for weeks I’ve let the lie of “you can’t have that kind of relationship with Him in the States” rule my life. In reality, it’s easy making room for him amongst strangers, but why does it become much more difficult to make Him room amongst those familiar to us? 

As I write this I’m ready to know Him as more again-know Him as a Renovator, as a Restorer. The home of my heart that I present to Him isn’t a mansion. It resembles a busted up trailer that rarely has power, and He knows that. But it’s what I have, and as I am I know I can come. And as the Heavenly Father of both me and the Property Brothers, I know He can and will restore the home I give Him. He expels the shame of a messy house, and instead presents Himself with a little fruit basket-one filled with love, and mercy, and forgiveness, and joy. 

You may have to move somethings around, but you have space for Him too. Even if its only a small corner or a closet, I pray that you trust him with that small space. Give him the keys and watch the God of miracles make a home out of you.