Shelter

A shelter is something that covers or protects us from weather, danger or attack. It is a refuge. It can be a shield. A house is an example of a shelter.  It is a building in which people live.  A home is one's own house.  It is supposed to be a safe place where we can rest.  In the bible, David (of Goliath fame) is pursued and escapes enemies who try to kill him. Once he is safe from them, he writes a song for God with the following words:

     The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
     my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
     my shield and the horn (strength) of my salvation.
     He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-
     from violent men you save me.

David uses may attributes of shelter to describe God: a fortress, refuge, shield, stronghold and protection from violent men.  There are many under-resourced neighborhoods in this country and around the world where people are forced by circumstances outside their control to live in very poor conditions. I work in just one of these neighborhoods. I see the condition of the houses up close. They can't be called homes because nobody would want to call them their own. They offer little protection from violent men who are all too common in this neighborhood.   The ministry I work with is providing a safe haven for the children where they are learning to see God as David did.  I signed on to provide better housing.  It will need to be affordable - to rent.  Moving families from a hopeless existence to stability and then to homeownership will take much more than two-by-fours and drywall.  It will take the full, combined efforts of people wanting to help, families wanting to grow and God moving among us to see His kingdom demonstrated for His glory.  He will be our refuge and strength. Just getting started.