To give and to dwell

“Summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had - all she had to live on.”

(Mark 12:43-44 CSB)

This bible verse reminded me of the many times in this christian walk when all I've had to offer is my weakness and brokenness. Although it did not seem like much to the outside world, the widow gave all that she had left to give. Jesus shares this story as an example of someone who is not ashamed of what she had to offer. It was there at the temple that the widow offered what she had left, and it was there where she believed with full faith that God would provide what she needed.

Regarding the finer details, we are not sure if this widow’s temple visit was part of her daily routine. Still, she recognized that the source of her help came from being in the presence of God. All that we know of this woman is that she was widowed and living in poverty, which would have caused her to experience a deep loss at some point in her life. It would have been easy for her to have taken her traumatic experiences and used them as a barrier to limiting belief and trust in God, but instead she goes down in history as the one who gave “all she had to live on”.

There are still days when all I have to bring is hurt and questions of confusion. There are days when tears and hope are the only prayers I have. It is when I choose to be in God’s presence and give what I can that he meets me there and accepts each offering as enough.

Prayer, worship, and reading God’s word all serve as dwelling in his perfect peace. When we take the time to pursue these acts of giving, we allow ourselves the opportunity to trust in him and build our life on a solid foundation.

• In your own words, what does it mean to “dwell” in God’s presence?

• What are practical ways you can dwell each day?

• What is your biggest barrier keeping you from practicing this consistently? (This could be environment, guilt or shame to be in God’s presence, any answer is okay to list.)

• Ask God to help you move past this barrier and for the grace to daily dwell in His presence.

• Let go of any expectations that dwelling in God’s presence results in a transactional relationship where you receive what you want.

God, thank you for the daily opportunity to be in your presence. Thank you for not being ashamed of what we have to offer, and that you are more than willing to meet us where we are. I pray for barriers to be removed and guilt or shame to be washed away. Give us receptive hearts to what you want to do in our lives, not what we hope you will do. Help us seek your house with worship and the desire for your name to be great, amen.