SANCTUARY

Last week I posted my status on FB as I finally had a bed, and when I posted that I began to write my next blog – SANCTUARY.  Having been interrupted on several attempts to finish it, I set it aside until I found the free time to focus on such an important aspect of every person’s life. Young or old, rich or poor, affluent or not, we all seek sanctuary not just daily throughout our routine but also heavily in our “off duty” time.  Sanctuary is often thought of as a place of retreat to in peace and quiet, a refuge for the hustle and bustle of 21^st century life. Regardless of whom you are; where you live…somehow we all find a way to make room in our busy schedules to “get away”!  When I posted about finally moving from the sofa to an actual bedroom, I was elated. My Sanctuary in this physical world has always been my home. No matter how run down or extravagant my environment, I ALWAYS put the Marebear stamp on every room, because when I come home, I really do need a place of escape.  I have always been complimented on my style and design ideas and how I am able to capture a sense of peace where ever I call home. Whether a tent, a card board box or a mansion, invariably I always am able to create a Sanctuary for rest and comfort.  Not being one for clutter or disorganization, unlike some of my posts at times, I enjoy coming home to my family and resting in a spot I have designated for prayer, or slumber, conversation and entertainment or just plain serenity. Fond of candles, I am also noted for my love of candles and ambient lighting because it is such an important part of creating a space of pure relaxtion, welcome and invitation.

But what happens when that place of Sanctuary, place of peace that we are used to or need, or is taken away and is replaced with disorder and chaos? What happens when at the end of a harried day we are unable to fix our homes, lives, or environment to meet that need, longing almost? Some people find comfort and sanctuary in external activities with family and friends. Others find it in a good book in front of a roaring fire; others through sports; others in work.  But in all my travels, all my adventures, both good and not so good, my Sanctuary has always when I come home.  Creating an atmosphere where the outside world is shut out or brought in via nature, home was always a great place to return to regardless of any circumstance. Even at my most desolate and lone moments, when home felt empty and barren I could find a spot that comforted me and all was right with the world.  So of course when I finally had a place to rest my head at night, you can imagine how important it was to get it ready to be my sanctuary from the very hectic daily life I have begun in my new job. And for those who know me up close and personal, since I am incapable of doing anything half way, I approached the matter with not just great enthusiasm but also with a bit of OCD type behavior.

But man made Sanctuaries are perishable, they can crumble and fall, or vanish in an instant because other than the Almighty, nothing is ours or permanent.  It’s like the joke about renting beer, in a way we are just renting what God has or is provisioning for our lives. All that glitters is not gold, a very commonly referred to biblical quote, is a wonderful reminder that everything here is temporal – fleeting – without permanence because it is perishable in an instant by any number of things in and out of nature.  So becoming attached to things that create a physical sanctuary can be a dangerous game.  When that world is shattered or taken away, our sense of safety and security can be rocked leading to a  myriad of emotional let downs, pitfalls and disappointments. 

But, and you knew this was coming, what if we allow the peac e and comfort in the arms of our creator be our Sanctuary, our port in the storm, the pillow upon which we lay our cares and worries of the day? What would that look like, how would we get there, find it, create it or just let it become a part of who we are?  So as I began this last week, creating my bedroom sanctuary, warm, inviting, peaceful, serene suddenly some reality came flooding in and it was smashed against the shore as though it were a tidal wave in a storm.  When that hope for a place to lay my head and be reflective and spend time at rest was replaced with a reality check of sorts, suddenly I began writing this piece. 

We all do this, we build things up in our minds, only to be disappointed or let down when things don’t quite go according to plan.  But when we keep looking up instead of out, the greatest Sanctuary known to man is quietly waiting in the wings for us to stop long enough to not just take notice but also to listen and reflect on and with God, and all the Glory that entails, that is when the meaning of Sanctuary really comes into focus. I find that in the chaos, pain, sorrow or just plain madness of life and all that is, my only real Sanctuary is in the hands of my creator. When I focus my gaze, my heart, my thoughts, my hopes, my hurts and my fears in the Word of God, or lay all of these things and a million others at His feet, there is not a single solitary place on this planet that becomes more peaceful or alive as when I am resting in Jesus.  And when I fail to look up and continue looking out, I miss out on the many and quite extraordinary blessings that God intends, intended or wills in or for my life, for the life of those I love and care for, on the needs of the many versus the need for the one.

God should be the port in every storm. He should be where we turn to throughout the day when a time of refreshing is what we need. We need to be finding our Sanctuary in the arms of Christ because only there can all be right with the world, even when that world is turned upside down or inside out.  In my times of greatest need, heartache, joy and solitude, it never ceases to amaze me how being in the Sanctuary of God’s Amazing Grace and Mercy, brings everything back into focus and helps … no makes me feel right with the world.  I am most flawed when I fail to see this, because it is like peering over a fence wishing that perfect green lawn were mine. I am my most joyful when I climb down off the fence, sitting quietly with nothing but a breeze and the scent of flowers in the air knowing that God just presented me with Sanctuary on His terms and not my own.

I finally unpacked this weekend, and while physically I am paying dearly for that burst of energy, my physical sanctuary has a new meaning for me because no longer am I placing its importance on the things that create the Sanctuary but rather who I invite to make it my Sanctuary.

He is our refuge and where that may be or what it looks like will be different for all of us…but when we take a moment to invite Him in and spend that time with Him then your surroundings or physical location are of no importance because you are no longer fixing your eyes out but up, allowing God to simply be…well, Be God!

Pebble out…

THE MIRROR IS JESUS

Another late and long day but want to take a moment to share about our Mirror and what we see when are looking back. When I get up in the morning I like most people make some coffee, feed the dogs and then let them o
ut and then go through the usual getting ready routine. Often as I step out of the shower and look in the mirror, I decide what face do I want to wear that day..you know hair up or down, make up or no make up, sweet or sophisticated,m professional or casual like aloha Friday. But often over the years I hated mirrors, no matter what I just hated them. Why you might ask? Well, for years I did not like what looked back at me! Self loathing and shame coarser through my veins like poison.

Then one day I read an amazing book and suddenly I began to look at myself quite differently. Suddenly the girl in the mirror shone bright like the northern star. She wasn't all made up just very simply standing there without the shame of past mistakes, hurts and pain. The memories that scarred her heart and imprisoned her mind, it was gone. And what replaced it was the daughter of a King, a princess purified by the living waters of Jesus Christ.

Journeying to a place of peace with who you are and what you hope to reflect and be with others...not cynical and bruised and battered by life's battles from the extreme to the day to day, but rather shining from within a special place in your heart where you exceed the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. That single relationship has the ability to transforms hearts and minds building.people for the Glory of God.

Words of kindness replace thoughts of I'll will or negativity. Encouragement replaces discouraged and beaten down hearts and lives. Love and friendship become something that truly means something to you and you become entrenched by your desire to share this all with the world because you cannot contain yourself.

If you have not yet found your place at the feet of Jesus, I encourage you to spend five minutes, quietly reflecting on what your life is all about. Who do you serve? What are your hopes and dreams and aspirations? Are you in pursuit of the materialistic and emotional stimulant of power and prestige or do you seek to live a life abundant awash with peace, faith, hope and love?

My mirror is my favorite place to go to now, not to look at me but to see Christ within me, His outpouring of love shining bright in this heart of mine...always seeking His approval and not that of the world. And as Jesus looks back at me, I see his smile looking back,

Pebble out....

JC - Part IV

When Jesus' ministry began it was unpopular and he was rejected and scorned, scoffed at and ridiculed and shun even by his own apostles, at times. He faced monumental barriers and obstacles, both seen and unseen, real and spiritually. Yet despite everything, He never gave up. He never told he father no, even though he faced all the same challenges and temptations that we struggle with. When we think of Jesus we think of Him as God. Some other faiths and religions only see him as a great prophet of His time. However, Jesus' life and times here on earth were not only numbered but they were carefully purposed to serve God...Period! Besides all the many miracles, teachings, and ministry that we know of His life here on earth, how often do we remember how His life was so purposed so that we would have a true and very real example or point of reference in which to relate or rather, so that His purpose could be understood for us mere mortals? What I am asking is this: when those who share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, do you come from a place that helps or encourages the unsaved to see in you their same struggles, strife and losses in that very real way that Jesus did?

In 2004 I was blessed with the opportunity to be part of a Mission trip to Nicaragua. It was a two week long event filled with extraordinary moments of courage, faith, failure and learning for all who went. I don't think that anyone who went on this journey came back the same as they were before they left. I, on too many occasions to be able to count found myself humbled not just by the trip itself, but through the people I went with and the people we served. When asked which ministry I felt most drawn to participate in, after careful prayer I felt God's leading to be a part of the prison ministry. After spending my entire life in my own self-imposed prison, I truly felt that His purpose for me was to share the real freedom that comes with a relationship with Jesus whether the bars are real or imagined.

When Jesus walked among the masses, they related to him not just because of the many miracles and recitations of scripture come true but also because they connected with him as someone who had experienced their sorrows, joys, struggles and strife. As we go out into the world to share the vision, message and ministry of Christ, I believe the greatest way we can do that is through sharing our common elements of similarity of experiences and that in itself draws others into understanding of the relationship of God the Father with all of His children. When God sent Christ it was the single greatest sacrifice a parent can make for His children. His willingness to allow His heavenly child to come as a man, experience as a man, struggle as a man, love as a man, but to have the wisdom and understanding of the father is beyond the extraordinary...it is the ultimate sacrifice. What parent can not relate to this? What parent would be willing to lose the one for benefit of the many? What child would be so willing to give their life so that their brothers and sisters might know a life beyond this one and so they would be able to share in the glory of God the father into eternity?

When we share our experiences with others, do we do so with a Christ like humility or is to serve an internal need for validation? Or when we share a particular hardship or battle, triumph or blessing are we doing it for self-serving, attention getting reasons? Often it is probably a bit of both. So tonight as I reflect on ministry to the youth God is preparing for me to witness to in whatever way He has decided and is within his will, I ask that you too might reflect on your life, it's challenges and hurdles, good and bad and examine how is it that God has purposed you. A purpose driven life is a life filled with profound meaning and insights; humility and learning; willingness to be out of the spot light and not in it. But one thing is clear for this blogger, it is my job as a Soldier for the Kingdom of God and the follower of my King Jesus Christ, that I take all that God has chosen or rather, that I chose, and use that to bare great witness to God, His mercy and goodness and ultimately the Hope and Love that come through sincere and faithful obedience to our King. And through that, great Faith can be planted, nurtured, and grown into a mighty oak able to withstand the elements and trials, temptations of this world so that we may enjoy the treasures in store for us in Heaven. I will not shy away from the words Jesus Christ but I will use His wisdom and leading to give me the courage and strength to follow this purposed driven life, always striving to bring glory to the kingdom of God. So, I ask you...are you willing to dig deep within you so that your purposed life will shine as an example of God's faithfulness to you and through you?

Pebble out...