“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:1,2).

It’s believed that this psalm was written by God’s people traveling to Jerusalem to worship. They sang in anticipation of their first sighting of the temple after a long trip. In our time these words have been used for dedications of special places and inscribed above doorways in churches and memorials. They’ve inspired beautiful pieces of music and artwork.

Because God is present with us in every moment, we can inscribe these words over our homes and our daily activities. We are always in the courts of God whether we are wandering a path through a park or sitting near a sunny window or in a hospital room. God dwells in all these places. They are made lovely by God’s presence.

This doesn’t negate the need for intentional time in Christian community. Christians are called to community for mutual encouragement. Just as our hearts and flesh cry out for the living God, so does the heart of each person we encounter. Christians can be plugged into an electrical outlet of God’s power and peace to take God’s dwelling place wherever we go, to whomever we meet. When we live as though we dwell in the courts of God, all of life is worship. We are never alone or without purpose. Wherever we find ourselves, we can praise, serve, and worship God.