A Sacred Space
Dear Friends,
I was so blessed to be brought up by Christian parents who taught and modelled the value of having a quiet time with God. I must admit, in my younger years I didn't always enjoy having a quiet time, but as my faith and relationship with God grew closer, the more important these times became to me. Because I've learned the value of being alone with God on a regular basis, I don't usually find it too difficult to find the time. Over the years it's became as much a habit to me, as it is to have my morning breakfast.
Just as important for me as when I have this time with God is where I spend it. I can't concentrate on him if there are others around me because I find my focus shifts from him to them and I'm not giving God my full attention. I need my sacred space where I can be completely alone with God.
Moses' sacred space was in the middle of the desert:
I'm so glad that because God is with us, we can have a sacred space absolutely anywhere. But I do believe that we have to find the space that is best for us and the way God has made us. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. My space becomes sacred, not because of anything I do to make it special, but because it's where God shows up. For me, it's my bedroom. This is where I feel most relaxed and comfortable. Here I'm away from most distractions. I can sit still with my Bible, my phone (to read email devotions), or a devotional book, ways to make notes (whether that's on my phone or in my journal) and, being very English, a nice cup of morning tea!
Whilst I don't find it that difficult to be physically still, I find it harder to get my mind to be still. The moment I quiet my mind and start to focus on God, my mind often then decides to get up and running. All kinds of thoughts can enter my head, such as what I need to cook for dinner later that day, or I'll replay a conversation I had earlier with my husband or my children, or I'll be worrying about possible solutions to a difficult situation, or I'll see a large spider's web in the corner of my room which will then create a train of thoughts on how I don't clean my home as much as I would like etc.
Over the last few months I've been thinking a lot about Jesus' good friends, Mary and Martha. On one of Jesus' visits we see Mary sitting at his feet, soaking up what he has to say, whilst Martha is busy being active in the kitchen, running around like a headless chicken. You can read about it in Luke 10:38-24
Not only was Martha busy on a practical level, her mind was busy too. She had no time or room to hear Jesus speak. We're told that she was distracted by many things, worried, anxious, upset and troubled. This gives us a good picture of her state of mind.
It's actually quite a good description of my mind at times. Is that also how your mind can be?
So, I'm learning to sit still, both physically and mentally, so that I can give God room to speak into my heart and mind. I find I have to be firm with myself, and when my mind goes off at a tangent, I need to bring it back under control and back to focusing on God.
When Moses led God's people through the desert he still had a sacred space to meet alone with God.
Whenever Moses "went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, 35 and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord." Exodus 34:34-35 (NLT)
Moses needed that time alone with God to hear from him in order to lead God's people as God had called him to. Without that time he had nothing to share with the people.
If what you read was of interest to you, then you may like to know that my book "Dear Friend...52 Weekly Devotions to Encourage, Challenge and Inspire" is available to buy from Amazon. (Its content is material adapted from previous blog posts.) To learn more, click on the link below:
Moses' sacred space was in the middle of the desert:
When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied.
5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:4-5 (NLT). You can read the whole of the account in Exodus 3 and 4
There was nothing particularly special about the land itself, but it became a sacred, holy place, because that's where God was and it was there that he chose to reveal himself to Moses.
There was nothing particularly special about the land itself, but it became a sacred, holy place, because that's where God was and it was there that he chose to reveal himself to Moses.
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| A Sacred Space |
Whilst I don't find it that difficult to be physically still, I find it harder to get my mind to be still. The moment I quiet my mind and start to focus on God, my mind often then decides to get up and running. All kinds of thoughts can enter my head, such as what I need to cook for dinner later that day, or I'll replay a conversation I had earlier with my husband or my children, or I'll be worrying about possible solutions to a difficult situation, or I'll see a large spider's web in the corner of my room which will then create a train of thoughts on how I don't clean my home as much as I would like etc.
Over the last few months I've been thinking a lot about Jesus' good friends, Mary and Martha. On one of Jesus' visits we see Mary sitting at his feet, soaking up what he has to say, whilst Martha is busy being active in the kitchen, running around like a headless chicken. You can read about it in Luke 10:38-24
Not only was Martha busy on a practical level, her mind was busy too. She had no time or room to hear Jesus speak. We're told that she was distracted by many things, worried, anxious, upset and troubled. This gives us a good picture of her state of mind.
It's actually quite a good description of my mind at times. Is that also how your mind can be?
So, I'm learning to sit still, both physically and mentally, so that I can give God room to speak into my heart and mind. I find I have to be firm with myself, and when my mind goes off at a tangent, I need to bring it back under control and back to focusing on God.
When Moses led God's people through the desert he still had a sacred space to meet alone with God.
Whenever Moses "went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, 35 and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord." Exodus 34:34-35 (NLT)
Moses needed that time alone with God to hear from him in order to lead God's people as God had called him to. Without that time he had nothing to share with the people.
I need time to be alone and still with God. I need to be quiet before him so that I can hear from him. To hear his guidance, direction, encouragement, comfort so that I can then do the things through the day that he has called me to do. I have nothing to give if I haven't first received from God.
To Think About:
Have you created a sacred space to meet with God? If not, why not do so? What would it look like? Do you think space to meet regularly with God is important?
How easy do you find it to be still before God, both physically and mentally? What would make it easier for you? What can you do to eliminate some of the possible distractions?
If you don't do so already, why not set aside some time and space this week to be quiet before God and make a record of anything you sense God may be saying to you.
Vicki
If what you read was of interest to you, then you may like to know that my book "Dear Friend...52 Weekly Devotions to Encourage, Challenge and Inspire" is available to buy from Amazon. (Its content is material adapted from previous blog posts.) To learn more, click on the link below:
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