No More Cave Dwelling

Where have you made your dwelling place? No, I’m not referring to your physical address. Instead I inquire about the place your mind, your soul, your will chooses to make it’s abode. After reading a post my blogger friend, Mike, shared over at This I do entitled What Is Your Cave?, it had me pondering over cave dwelling. Not sure if this happens to you but there are some posts that I read and then there are others that seem to read me. It’s the one’s that read me that I’m unable shake from the recesses of my mind.  They refused to be ignored clinging and begging me to explore more.

Isolation and darkness push to the forefront of my mind when I hear the word cave. At first glance it doesn’t sound like a very pleasant place to reside. However, as an introvert, it’s in the aloneness of my day that I’m fully able to recharge. In the darkness of the night, my body finds the necessary rest to face the dawn of a new day. If the cave can serve as a place of peace and restoration, why would dwelling in one be a problem?

The place you draw away to gain perspective or protection can also be the place you use as a means of avoidance. Avoiding dealing with conflict, relationships, troubles, and trials. Just check out Gideon and the other Israelites in Judges 6, who had made caves for themselves in attempt to hide from their oppressors, the Midianites.  These Midianites were no joke; they came in and reeked utter havoc.

Despite all the trouble they were causing, Gideon wasn’t encouraged to stay tucked safely inside the cave. It seems that while he was waiting around looking for God to do something about the situation, God was looking to him to render aide to the people. To me, a cave dweller would be the least likely person to send out to battle. But, what do I know really?

Just as the angel commissioned Gideon to come out of hiding and go out to face the enemy, there are some battles that we can’t afford to ignore. Too much is at stake. Not just us but our families. Not just our families but our communities. Not just our communities but our nation.

I’ve got some more chewing to do on this one. While I do, I encourage you to check out the post over at Mike’s blog.