“The Bible is our book, and as we look at the first page, we see that the first gift God gave humankind was the gift of place. And the contention of this books is that his intention has not changed. God wants us to find home. God wants us to experience belonging.”- Daniel Grothe
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust in him, and he will act.”- Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)
In Chapter 3 (“The Gift of Place: A New Perspective on Belonging”) of The Power of Place, Daniel Grothe presents a place-discovery acronym, DROPS, that he created. Thus, DROPS functions as a doorway to help us discover the place God’s prepared for us.
1. Desire. In Psalm 37:4, Pastor Grothe observes, the psalmist David wants us to know that longings awaken in us, and desires arise. But those desires don’t arise out of wish-fulfillment theology. Instead, as you keep in step with the Lord, desires arise that originate from God’s very heart. So, Daniel encourages, pay attention to those desires as you discern your geographical place in this world.
2. Relationships. In seasons of transition, Pastor Grothe finds, the Lord almost always leads through relationships to a place where you already know people. Therefore, know that God may want to position you around some people you love.
3. Opportunity. Pay attention to doors of opportunity God opens for you. They help you discover where God might want you to plant.
4. Purpose. In addition, we need a place to exercise the gifts God’s given us. Otherwise, we wither. Hence, the author underscores, as you look for your place in this world, pay attention to options that allow you to live with purpose.
5. Skills. Finally, pay attention to the types of places that need your skills. Because, as the first pages of Scripture stress, God has a specific place in mind just for you.
Today’s question: How do you feel when you hear that place = the first gift God gave humankind? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the August Short Meditation, “Old song into a symphony”
