This week, three little words got my attention--"In a place." Those three words were in a paragraph I found in an email. "Our relation to the natural world takes place in a place.” The American poet Gary Snyder wrote those words. I don’t think he’s wrong. Every time we harvest a wild mushroom, we do so in a place. Every time we add a new bird to our life list, we do so in a place. Every time we gather spring water and admire a wooded valley, we do so in a place. Alvars, bogs, fens, forests, marshes, prairies, savannas, and swamps are all places where life abounds. When we refer to these places specifically as “ecosystems,” a few interesting things happen: We see important connections, we see intricate relationships, and we see where humans fit into the story--in these places.”
And they usually are in places where we can meet with God.
I enjoyed contemplating those thoughts and they led me to go further in my thinking about "in a place". We all meet each other "in a place". I met my husband in a place. That place was in his car—when he volunteered to take four girls in a place—in his car, to a church each week in a place, in the place called southeast Nebraska. That trip became a regular trip to a place that was in a place called Fairbury. And it seems that God was in control of that place as we found that we were attracted to each other "in a place"—in Nebraska, in his car, in the church. And now, this week is our anniversary. We got married "in a place"! We have a special day "in a place" on the calendar. That is a memorable place in the calendar of time place. And together, we have been married for 53 years. And that is an amazing in our place together. I feared going away to college—in a place that was in Nebraska, in Lincoln, in a place/college called Union! But God was calling me to a place that would determine my future. It was a very important place for me, and I am glad I was led to that place!
I hurt my back—in a place a long time ago and that has affected the rest of my life. I remember how concerned my mother-in-law was about my back! She was trying to help and made an appointment for me about it, in a place that I was scared to be in. This was in a place that made me uncomfortable and did not help us form strong bonds. Everyone should think about the far-reaching effects of our deeds when we are in a place that affects others.
Thoughts of surgery are scary to me. Surgery is in a place where healing can be found or where something can go wrong. Having been in a place of surgery more times than I ever expected, for me I am so glad to be able to be in a place of healing. It reminds me that I can be in a place daily where healing from the disease of sin can be healed by the Master Physician and Surgeon. Recently I once again have had to get help in a place—help for walking and for pain. I now have graduated from physical therapy in a place I have come to appreciate! I am glad that God comes in my place where I am needing His help and He helps me learn to walk His way.
I love when we go traveling for fun and relaxation and to visit God's nature world in a place. Some we visit frequently—the Mississippi River and its valley. Some are in a place that can't be visited frequently like Wyoming’s mountains of Snowy Range and the Montana Mountains. I could name so many others! But they all have something in common. They are in a place that I want to visit again and again and again.
I love to go where our children live with their families and visit in their homes. I love to be in the places and in the homes where each now live.
We meet God in a place—we find Him in church, in nature, in the prayer "closet", in places where we get stressed and desperately need Him, and always in the place where we have our devotional time and in so many other places!
A dictionary defines in a place as being used to talk about someone's feelings, situation, or mental condition: I feel like I'm in a better place about who I am when I do that.
If something is in place, it is in its usual or correct position such as “The chairs are all in place. He screwed the shelf in a place”.
The key difference between "live" and "stay" in a place is the duration of time spent in a particular place. "Live" is generally used for a longer duration of time, while "stay" is usually temporary. "Live" refers to a more permanent residence, while "stay" implies a less permanent situation.
An "in a place" usually refers to a specific location/area and covers everything from a physical space like a room or building to a region or even a spot on a shelf. It can be a more abstract sense of a location having unique characteristics, meaning, and connections. Essentially, in a place can be anything that occupies space and has a defined position. God has promised to write His law in a place—on our hearts. My heart!
It can be a Physical Location—a place can be a specific point, building, area, town, or country. For example, a desk in a classroom, a park, a city, or a continent are all considered places. Or it can be a place—that we sense and it involves the meaning, significance, and connections people have with it. This includes personal memories, emotional ties, and social interactions associated with a particular location—in a place. But location refers to the position of a place on the Earth's surface. It's the specific coordinates or geographical area. The place called Locale refers to a particular area or region, often with a specific set of characteristics.
And then there is a Place that is a Noun—a position within a series such as "second place" in a race, a spot, or a job.
We say IN A PLACE when something is located inside a defined space. It could be a flat space, like a yard, or a three-dimensional space, like a box, house, desk or car or park or even a town. The space does not need to be closed on all sides (“There is water IN the glass”). Then there is when we say ON THE PLACE to be used when something is touching the surface of something.
Have I confused you yet! Wait, there is more!
The word place is used to describe a specific location, such as the place on a shelf, a physical environment, a building or locality of special significance, or a particular region or location. The term can be used for locations at almost any geographic scale, depending on context of what you are meaning.
"Having a plan in place" means having a prepared course of action established and ready for use, whether to achieve a goal, address a situation, or manage a process. It implies that the plan is not just an idea but a concrete strategy that is being or can be implemented. The plan is not just a thought, but a structured idea that has been developed and established, put in a place. The plan can be put into action when needed, whether immediately or in the future. It is ready for use! It’s in place.
The plan outlines the steps or strategies that will be followed to achieve a desired outcome and to achieve the action you desire.
"Remain in place" generally means to stay in the same spot or location without moving or shifting. It can also refer to continuing in the same condition or state. For example, a vase staying on a shelf is remaining in its place.
Staying in the same spot is the most literal meaning, referring to not moving from a specific location. Continuing unchanged can also mean that something continues to be in the same place, state or condition without any alteration or change.
Maintaining organization or order in some contexts means "in place" can also refer to things being set up or organized in the correct way. "The arrangements are all in place means that the necessary preparations are complete.
How long do you have to stay in a place to be considered living there?
Many states that collect income taxes use the 183-day rule to decide who is considered a resident of their state. According to the rule, if you spend at least 183 days of a year in a state—even if you have established your home in another state—you are considered a resident of the state for tax purposes. I am so glad that God has always considered me a resident in the place called heaven. I don’t have to live there 183 days before I can be a resident. He welcomes me into His presence whenever I come to His place.
"Putting in place" generally means to establish, implement, or set up something so it's ready for use or functioning. It can also mean positioning something correctly or in its usual place. For example, a company might "put in place" a new security system or a manager might "put in place" a new work schedule.
When something like a policy, a system, or a plan is "put in place," it means it's been formally introduced and is now operational or in use.
It can also refer to physically arranging something in its right location or correct order.
In some cases, "put in place" can mean building or assembling something.
The phrase "put someone in their place" has a different meaning. It refers to humbling or rebuking someone, often by reminding them of their limitations or position within a hierarchy.
"Everything is in place" generally means that all the necessary elements, arrangements, or preparations for something are present and ready to go. It implies a state of readiness, organization, and completion. It suggests that a project, plan, or situation is fully prepared, ready to go and all the required components are in their correct positions or order and places. The phrase is often used for where things are neatly arranged, tidy, organized and in their proper places. It can also refer to having all the necessary people, equipment, supplies, or resources needed for a task or event.
In a more formal context, "everything is in place" can mean that a system, structure, or institution is fully set up and functioning, ready to be implemented.
"Not your place" means that someone should not be involved in a particular situation or have a say in it, either because it's none of their business, they lack the necessary authority, or it's simply not their responsibility. It suggests that the person being addressed is not the right person to do or say something in that specific context and place. It's none of your business: The situation is private and doesn't involve you, so you shouldn't pry or interfere. You don't have the power, expertise, or position and authority to make decisions or give advice in that area/place. Not your responsibility—the task or action belongs to someone else, and you shouldn't be the one doing it.
In soe situations, certain actions or statements are simply considered inappropriate to make, regardless of your personal opinion or feelings.
Synonyms of in a place include location, venue, site, spot, where, position, locality, or locus. In spiritual thinking, "in a place" can be referring to God and can be interpreted in various ways, often related to the concept of divine presence, dwelling, or encounter. It can be a place where God is actively involved, where his presence is felt, or a place of spiritual significance.
God is Dwelling in a place: The Bible often speaks of places where God dwells, such as the Tabernacle, the Temple, a church, and even the hearts of a believer—my heart! Some are not literal locations but represent the presence and power of God.
Biblical stories describe specific places where individuals had meetings with God, such as in the place of the burning bush with Moses or in Jacob's ladder dream. These places became significant due to their spiritual impact on each individual.
In a place can be a "Secret Place": Psalm 91 mentions dwelling in the "secret place of the Most High," which we can understand as a place of spiritual closeness and protection, in a place where God's presence is felt.
The Bible emphasizes that God is present everywhere, saying the "eyes of the Lord are in every place". We come into temples and churches—into a place that is considered to be a place of worship and sacred space where people gather to connect with God. In some contexts, "in a place" refers to heaven, or God's home where we will spend eternity with Him.
The phrase "in a place" can also be a state of being, a relationship with God, or a particular spiritual condition. "In a place" in a religious thought can be interpreted as a place of divine presence, spiritual encounter, or a dwelling place for God, both literally and metaphorically. The place I want to be in is in a place called God’s Kingdom, forever.
I want to be In God’s place!