In a recent sermon talking about the difference between Sacred and Secular spaces we wrestled with the idea that all spaces are neutral.
1 Corinthians 9:16 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
As followers of Jesus we have become the temple, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. Because of this, any place can become sacred the moment a follower of Jesus enters it.
With that being said, each of us can think back and point to particular times or places where we have felt close to God. Those times where we had a God moment, or a place that always helps us connect more closely with God. What is it about those places? If spaces really are neutral, why do some places feel different?
The Bible teaches us that God wants us to be in a relationship with Him. He wants us to know Him and spend time with Him. It doesn’t matter the time or the place – however, places do have significance. Just think about any important relationship in your life. There are specific places that hold meaning and importance - there are things that are unique to that relationship. Our relationship with God is like that. Places where God did something incredible in our lives can serve as a reminder or ground us in the truth of who God is. Maybe it's those places where all of our distractions can be put away and we can focus on what matters most.
Personally, I have always loved the ability to get outside. When I can get free of civilization and escape into the wild of God’s creation I feel like I get closer to God. Those spaces feel sacred to me. It’s not because they are somehow more sacred than my living room, but because in those spaces I am reminded of who God is and always has been.
I know that I can’t live in those spaces forever, and even if I could they would most likely lose their “sacred” feeling. So I look for opportunities to find those moments when I can draw close to God, knowing that He is always there waiting for me.
Comments