Sanctuary

Still thinking...

"Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God." Psalm 84:3

This is one of my favorite images from scripture.

Sanctuary. Sanctuary of a safe place, sanctuary of the outdoors, sanctuary of caring/nurturing/predictable routine/predictable people, sanctuary of strong, dependable relationships, sanctuary of the familiar, sanctuary of unstructured alone-time, sanctuary of quiet, sanctuary of freedom. . . Bring your own descriptions and associations for "refuge" and "sanctuary". Don't be surprised if they contradict each other.

Sanctuary. Is it something the church provides or does God just expect us to weave it into our individual lives? Does it matter whether or not we seek out that still quiet listening place? Some homes in some cultures have altars. Is that what we're talking about?

As more and more homes become actively involved - even the driving force - behind the spiritual formation of their children whose job is it to provide teaching, training, opportunities for service, social opportunities to build relationships with different generations, worship, sanctuary, stillness, fun?

What is the church responsible for? What is the family responsible for? Just asking the questions assumes that both church and family are expected to be responsible for something. Is the assumption legitimate and Biblical? Or can we let it just happen and be what it is.

What is the purpose, job, responsibility of the church? I'm not talking about the 4-walled church. I'm talking about the corporate people of God. Last weekend. we went to a restaurant in Dulles, VA . One of the things my husband likes about this particular place is the way the wait- staff look out for their customers and for each other. They probably have specific responsibilities but they go the extra mile to pay attention to the people they serve even if it isn't their table.

Do all the things we spend time and money and energy on actually accomplish the things that God expects His church to be about? Does God expect us as individuals or as the church to find or provide sanctuary? times and places of refuge? The blood, money and resources that went into all those mammoth stone cathedrals were probably intended, at least in part, to create a refuge and sanctuary. No doubt there were other less noble ambitions attached. There was a time when people ran to cathedrals and monasteries for sanctuary. There were times when even armies respected these sanctuaries of faith. Does God expect the church to create a sanctuary for us? Wait. We are the church...

The Old Testament is full of references to refuge - cities of refuge in Numbers. God as refuge in Psalms. In Isaiah, Zion is a refuge. But the references to refuge seem to end in Nahum. Then one more reference shows up in Hebrews. It seems odd that all of the New Testament contains only one reference to "refuge."

What about Jesus?

God is a refuge. Jesus is God. Jesus came as a man. People were drawn to Him. They came for healing. They received forgiveness. They came hungry for the words He spoke. Wasn't Jesus a refuge? He didn't build a tabernacle or a temple or a cathedral. He didn't create a place. He didn't even stay put in one place! People followed Him but you don't see Him getting all mushy and sentimental, wrapping His arms around the weak and the meek. Did the people who walked with Christ find refuge there?

Do people run to the church or to Christians for sanctuary and refuge today? (I'm thinking they run in the other direction . . .) Is there a need to build some sense of sanctuary and refuge into our lives and the lives of our children not just for quiet alone-time with God but perhaps to provide sanctuary and refuge to others? Maybe because we're created in the image of the God who is our refuge? I wonder. . . There are things we can be and do alone because we were created in the image of God. There are things we can only be and do together because God is so much more that any of us will ever be alone.

Maybe the sanctuary and refuge that Jesus brought to us was His example: mingling and withdrawing and mingling again. He brought revelation of the Father (David's refuge) and opportunity to be reconciled with Him. The Holy Spirit dwells in us reminding us of the truth of scripture that God, Himself is our Refuge. I think there are people on this earth who become a refuge, a sanctuary to others. I think there are also groups of people who provide sanctuary and refuge to others.

That's as far as I've gotten so far...food for thought...something to ponder.