Sanctuary (noun): a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter; the room inside of a church where religious services are held
Earlier this month I explored the word “Providence”, inspired by the recent shelter-in-place orders at that time. My time spent meditating on that word helped me cope with the changes happening all around me, the uncertainty of the future weeks, the anxiety about impact of the virus around the world.
After being in quarantine a few more weeks, I have come to a better place of peace about the world around me, and within me. The best word to describe my new sense of serenity?
SANCTUARY
Sanctuary, as a noun, is a PLACE (remember learning about nouns? Person, place, or thing…). A place where people or animals are protected or given shelter. A sanctuary is also the place within a Christian church building where the worship services are held. Sanctuaries are holy places – that is, set apart for a purpose or for protection.
Scriptures are full of references to places of refuge, the cries for protection, the search for sanctuaries.
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3
The Book of Psalms is the best place to turn to for scriptures about places of safety, protection, and shelter, as many of the Psalms were written by King David during the times in his life when he was on the run from his enemies. David was often hiding out in the wilderness, in caves, in desolated places while he was being pursued. And in those times, he cried out to the Lord with both deep despair and heartfelt gratitude. In this time of the pandemic, these verses can be our prayers too!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16
Although the definition of sanctuary is a PLACE, scripture tells us that we can have sanctuaries for our bodies, but also sanctuaries for our spirits. Our souls can run to the Lord and be safe. The lord is our sanctuary.
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Often when I am meditating on a word, all sorts of signs, images, conversations, and memories will be presented to me (I think by God) to help deepen my understanding of the particular word. I don’t need to research these events; I just need to be open to them. Willing to listen, to see, to taste… to expand my experience of the word.
The “extracurricular” experiences brought to me in these weeks of meditating on the word Sanctuary included music, text messages, and devotional readings.
On Easter Sunday, listening to my church’s video worship service, I heard the song “Sanctuary” by Carrie Newcomer for the first time ever. Oh, what a beautiful song! Simple but profound lyrics, a haunting but comforting melody. Ever since I heard the song, I have found myself unconsciously humming under my breath:
Will you be my refuge, my haven in the storm, will you keep the embers warm when my fire’s all but gone? Be my sanctuary ‘til I can carry on, carry on, carry on…
Then a week later, a friend sent a unexpected text message of encouragement and included a link to the YouTube video for this same song. Find it HERE.
At this point, I noticed that the video was released in September 2016, nearly four years ago. And yet the line in the song “It’s gonna take some time ‘til the world feels safe again” hits home hard right now! Just saying those words, singing along with Carrie, brings me a level of peace about the future. I am not complaining that it’s gonna take some time, I’m just accepting it, along with all the blessings that are going to happen along the way because of God’s Providence.
Another change I am adjusting to is the absence of an in-person worship service held in the sanctuary at my church. I love sitting in the sanctuary, hearing the music reverberate in the high ceilings, feeling the Holy Spirit’s presence move about the pews and through my body. I cherish receiving Holy Communion from my pastors, and hearing them speak my name, look into my eyes, and offer the body and blood of Jesus to me. I am grateful to be part of a praying community in the pews, as we celebrate the joys and sorrows of life together.
Now the sanctuary is off-limits, part of the restrictions for social distancing. But instead of experiencing grief, I am rejoicing in how God is working in our congregation, and our world, to show us that a Sanctuary can be any place we choose to worship Him.
ANY PLACE.
For my family, this now means our living room (as we sit in our PJs) and our car. My own home, my shelter-in-place residence, is my “haven in the storm” because I am physically safe as I stay here and spiritually protected as I worship God here.
Wildlife sanctuaries protect animals from destruction (e.g., urban development) and death (e.g., hunting) caused by humans. However, the animals are not sheltered from storms, tornadoes, drought, and non-human predators. The sanctuary is a place “set apart” specifically for them, but they still have the hardships of life to face.
So it is for people. When we shelter at home, we still have hardships, trials, grief, and challenges to face. Our home sanctuaries do not prevent job loss, depression, or death of loved ones from happening. But our sanctuary in God offers us spiritual protection. A birdsong chorus of “It will be OK”.
All may not be well now, but all is well in Him.
As each month of 2020 passes by, I come to appreciate my theme word OVERCOME more and more. I shake my head in amazement that God revealed this word to me, gave it to me as a gift I could hold onto as I faced grief, as I continued on my pilgrimage, as I struggled with loneliness, and as I battled the isolating effects of the pandemic.
God provides.
Always.
Sometimes even with a just a simple word.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33