Just about all people are fond of special locations, places where, perhaps, something good has taken place, memories are stirred, or where they feel a special closeness to that which they deem important. In the Bible there are many places that seem especially significant. Mount Sinai, where God disclosed His covenant to Israel; the tabernacle, where God met with His people; and the temple, which was a more permanent abode of God–these are but a few of the locations where God intervened in human affairs.
Today, of course, the tabernacle and temple are no longer required, for God now tabernacles among His people, dwelling in their midst and within their hearts. As a result, believers need not consider one location as more holy than another. But if God no longer displays Himself in this localized fashion, where do we meet with Him? Are there any sacred places today?
When we consider God’s promise to meet with us, things like prayer, fellowship with other believers, meditation, and exposure to the Bible’s teaching come to mind. These, in a very real and necessary sense, are the “places” where God especially manifests Himself. It is particularly relevant to note Jesus’ promise: “Where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). The point He is making is not that He is absent when we are otherwise alone but that He shines forth His presence in special ways whenever His followers unite. At any rate, by such avenues God’s people are guided, edified, and spiritually rejuvenated.
Unquestionably, then, it is essential to emphasize the major pathways by which God works among His people. It is not an accident that those who ignore what God has clearly revealed in His Word are prone to error, imbalance, and just plain silliness. Nor is it a surprise to find among those who have consistent contact with these elements a greater sense of stability.
At this point, however, another error tends to take place, which is the mistake of thinking that God’s work in our lives is somehow limited to these practices. On such a view, growth occurs only, or at least primarily, when our Bibles are open, our petitions are being spoken, and other Christians are in close proximity (perhaps quoting Scripture verses and the like).
The problem with this attitude is that it overly compartmentalizes God, treating Him like someone who is involved in our lives only to the degree that we are busy plugging into these specific channels of growth. As a result, many well-meaning Christians have reduced God to a mere concept, separated themselves from all activities except those that are directly “biblical,” and severely hampered their own spiritual development.
Now, lest someone misunderstand, it is important to reiterate that prayer, Bible reading, and similar activities are indeed helpful features of the Christian life. Apart from these, our spiritual progress is significantly hampered, and through these paths, as already indicated, great things can surely take place. Thus, individual believers and churches need to expend time and energy highlighting these God-given provisions for wisdom and holiness. But what we are to do with the rest of our time? When we’re not reading the Bible or hearing it taught, when we are not verbalizing words to our heavenly Father, what should our perspective be?
While Bible reading, corporate prayer, and similar practices are vital spiritual disciplines, leading to a full and rich knowledge of the Lord, our experience of God stretches well beyond these disciplines, encompassing all of life. Thus, God is quite able to meet people in many situations. In the desert, a king’s chamber, through a donkey or a prophet, God is in the business of connecting with His creatures. Sometimes in a moment of silence or of frustration, other times through the complexities of life, He expresses Himself. What this means for us is profound. Assuming that we are indeed committed to Him, the whole of our existence becomes the stage upon which He acts. With our minds running on truth, our lives bathed in prayer, and our hearts committed to the Christian community, the world becomes a vast holy place, with endless potential and countless spiritual possibilities. This means that it quite plausible, even likely, that God might meet with you on a sea shore, at a movie theater, in the smile of your children, as you listen to a song (even a “secular” song), through the love you express, on your drive to or from work, while you’re jogging, and in countless other ways.
How does this occur? Well, in one sense, I have to admit I’m not quite sure. In another sense, though, I can sort of imagine some of what God probably does. He stirs our emotions, guides our thoughts, incites our curiosity, points out our priorities, stirs our passions, and reminds us how blessed we are. God can do such things through many avenues.
Of course, if you’re paying attention, you might have already noticed that some of the examples I’ve used are places where evil is thought to occur (e.g., the movie screen), and indeed it often does. My intention is not to deny the dangers that are “out there.” Clearly, Christians must be careful to avoid the allurements of a sensual society. But that being said, it is also imperative to realize that God has not been extricated from daily living. While certain environments can lead us astray, there are many places (sometimes the same places!) where the biblically informed, Spirit-driven believer can meet God.
Our Lord is an immanent being. That is, He is truly with us. Wherever we go, He is by our side. Whatever our life-setting, His presence is unchanging. Have you discovered that there are numerous blessings scattered throughout your life? Perhaps, it is time to carefully reconsider the implications of Immanuel, God with us, for when you grasp this reality all of life becomes holy ground.
Today, of course, the tabernacle and temple are no longer required, for God now tabernacles among His people, dwelling in their midst and within their hearts. As a result, believers need not consider one location as more holy than another. But if God no longer displays Himself in this localized fashion, where do we meet with Him? Are there any sacred places today?
When we consider God’s promise to meet with us, things like prayer, fellowship with other believers, meditation, and exposure to the Bible’s teaching come to mind. These, in a very real and necessary sense, are the “places” where God especially manifests Himself. It is particularly relevant to note Jesus’ promise: “Where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). The point He is making is not that He is absent when we are otherwise alone but that He shines forth His presence in special ways whenever His followers unite. At any rate, by such avenues God’s people are guided, edified, and spiritually rejuvenated.
Unquestionably, then, it is essential to emphasize the major pathways by which God works among His people. It is not an accident that those who ignore what God has clearly revealed in His Word are prone to error, imbalance, and just plain silliness. Nor is it a surprise to find among those who have consistent contact with these elements a greater sense of stability.
At this point, however, another error tends to take place, which is the mistake of thinking that God’s work in our lives is somehow limited to these practices. On such a view, growth occurs only, or at least primarily, when our Bibles are open, our petitions are being spoken, and other Christians are in close proximity (perhaps quoting Scripture verses and the like).
The problem with this attitude is that it overly compartmentalizes God, treating Him like someone who is involved in our lives only to the degree that we are busy plugging into these specific channels of growth. As a result, many well-meaning Christians have reduced God to a mere concept, separated themselves from all activities except those that are directly “biblical,” and severely hampered their own spiritual development.
Now, lest someone misunderstand, it is important to reiterate that prayer, Bible reading, and similar activities are indeed helpful features of the Christian life. Apart from these, our spiritual progress is significantly hampered, and through these paths, as already indicated, great things can surely take place. Thus, individual believers and churches need to expend time and energy highlighting these God-given provisions for wisdom and holiness. But what we are to do with the rest of our time? When we’re not reading the Bible or hearing it taught, when we are not verbalizing words to our heavenly Father, what should our perspective be?
While Bible reading, corporate prayer, and similar practices are vital spiritual disciplines, leading to a full and rich knowledge of the Lord, our experience of God stretches well beyond these disciplines, encompassing all of life. Thus, God is quite able to meet people in many situations. In the desert, a king’s chamber, through a donkey or a prophet, God is in the business of connecting with His creatures. Sometimes in a moment of silence or of frustration, other times through the complexities of life, He expresses Himself. What this means for us is profound. Assuming that we are indeed committed to Him, the whole of our existence becomes the stage upon which He acts. With our minds running on truth, our lives bathed in prayer, and our hearts committed to the Christian community, the world becomes a vast holy place, with endless potential and countless spiritual possibilities. This means that it quite plausible, even likely, that God might meet with you on a sea shore, at a movie theater, in the smile of your children, as you listen to a song (even a “secular” song), through the love you express, on your drive to or from work, while you’re jogging, and in countless other ways.
How does this occur? Well, in one sense, I have to admit I’m not quite sure. In another sense, though, I can sort of imagine some of what God probably does. He stirs our emotions, guides our thoughts, incites our curiosity, points out our priorities, stirs our passions, and reminds us how blessed we are. God can do such things through many avenues.
Of course, if you’re paying attention, you might have already noticed that some of the examples I’ve used are places where evil is thought to occur (e.g., the movie screen), and indeed it often does. My intention is not to deny the dangers that are “out there.” Clearly, Christians must be careful to avoid the allurements of a sensual society. But that being said, it is also imperative to realize that God has not been extricated from daily living. While certain environments can lead us astray, there are many places (sometimes the same places!) where the biblically informed, Spirit-driven believer can meet God.
Our Lord is an immanent being. That is, He is truly with us. Wherever we go, He is by our side. Whatever our life-setting, His presence is unchanging. Have you discovered that there are numerous blessings scattered throughout your life? Perhaps, it is time to carefully reconsider the implications of Immanuel, God with us, for when you grasp this reality all of life becomes holy ground.
No comments:
Post a Comment