Ezekiel 37:26-28
 |
| photo by Abraham Bates |
In this passage we read that God is bringing his sanctuary to us. Sanctuary means "sacred space". Ezekiel tells us that God is bringing His presence to be in the midst of us and our world. The result is peace. Martin Luther said, "When God purifies the heart by faith, the market is sacred as well as the sanctuary." Lately, when I run through the golf course and streets of my neighborhood I pray: Okay God, if this is your sanctuary then let me see where you are moving. Show me your hand. Let me see the peace you are bringing.
we're going to play a game
My kids and I play'd a game this week. They were acting like little hellions: not listening and disobeying. "So," I said, "we're going to play a game." "YEAH!" they said, "We love games." "Ok, dad," Ethan said, "let play a game. I'm ready dad!" "All right," I said, "Now get excited for this game, because it's a hard one. The game is let’s see who can listen and obey dad the best tonight.” “All right!” said Ethan, “I’m going to win this game.” "I'm listening dad," said Abigail.
Not let's just be honest: you can only pull a move like this once or twice. I didn't actually expect them to response with obedience, but it made for an awesome night. They were both competing for who could respond the best. All night long Ethan would say, "Okay dad. I hear you dad. Yes dad. I'm obeying you dad." He always wanted to make sure that I knew he was listening. Abigail was right there with him and then at bed confessed that there was one time during the game when she listened but didn't actually obey. I laughed and thought: your the most honest girl I know.
God is bringing his sanctuary
God is bringing his sanctuary to you. He's showing up in the places you spend most of your time. In the place you live. In the job that sucks most of your time and energy. In the kitchen you make food. At the gym where you work out. When your out with your friends. When you grieve, accomplish, celebrate, and share life with the people around you. In all of it God is showing up establishing his covenant of peace.
Now I don't know what kind of person you? I don't know what your mood is when you read this? You could be happy, sad, pissed off, full of energy. What I do know is that when I read that God is bringing his sanctuary to be with us it changes the way I see the world. It makes me look at everything differently. I want to see his hand at work? I want to see where He's moving? I want to know what his sanctuary looks like? I want to know how to follow the God whose put himself in all the places that surround my life.
how you live your life?
This is where you need to wake up. If God is all around you, then how are you living your live? You may be spiritual, you might not care about God? You may be a Christ-follower, you might not like Jesus? You may be inspired; you might be turned off by the whole thing. But here's what I do know: everyone wants something different. This is called hope, we hope for something new in the middle of our life.
Maybe it's the hope of a new relationship? Maybe it's the hope of a new job? Maybe it's the hope a new home, or a new way of life? But there is something in you that wants change. Wants wholeness. Wants to feel like it knows it's place. This is called peace, which is interpreted as full flourishing, when everything has it's place. Here's the point: we find this when we realize God is with us. We live this when we see God's sanctuary all around us guiding us to the way he has for us to live.
serene, silent beauty of a holy life
Blaise Pascal said, "Next to the might of the Spirit of God…the most powerful influence in the world is the serene, silent beauty of a holy life."
a covenant of peace
When you choose this kind of life, you are choosing to say, "Okay dad. I'm ready. Let's play the game." And He will take you on the most incredible journey of your life. He will make the things around you become moments in which He is moving. He will work to bring his convent of peace to your home and relationships. He will open your eyes to see the life He's given you and show you what He's calling you to do with it.
Do this today: Ask the question Where is God bringing his sanctuary to my life? Then walk and work, where you normally spend your time, and look for where God is moving to bring his sanctuary of peace.
