“Be still, and know that I am
God.—Psalm 46:10a
In seminary, I became very interested in church
architecture. In a Philosophy of
Religion class with John Newport, I wrote a paper on the theological
implications of worship space. Dr.
Newport liked it and encouraged me to delve in the topic further. One of the things I enjoy is experiencing
worship spaces and documenting them with photographs but I don’t build worship
centers.
While visiting with a friend recently, I learned that her
early ambition was to become an architect and design church buildings. Instead, she found herself in divinity school
and the wife of a minister!
As we talked together, we realized that even though we early
on were attracted to the design and use of worship space and we are not
involved in building or designing physical spaces, we have found a way to
create sacred space without bricks and mortar.
My friend does it by planning and creating retreat settings
where believers can come together and experience God. This is a very special gift. I do it by engaging in a coaching practice
that offers a nonjudgmental, safe place for clients to discover their God-give
purpose and to pursue it.
Neither of us is creating physical space, instead we are
providing virtual spaces that can be used for sacred purposes. Such spaces are much more permanent than physical
places of worship which can come and go.
We can create sacred spaces anywhere for people to encounter God.
Having such sacred spaces is necessary for believers to grow
into the disciples God has called them to be.
How do sacred spaces fit into your daily life? We can’t always be on retreat or in a
coaching conversation. Perhaps your
sacred space is an actual physical place—your kitchen table, your desk, your
backyard, a park, a trail, or your automobile.
On the other hand, your sacred space may be anywhere you choose to create
it. In order to have a sacred space, however, several things are important.
First, be intentional about your sacred space. Consecrate it with prayer and ask God to be
present with you there.
Second, try to find a place with little external
stimulation. This is often the hardest
thing to do, but you can begin by cutting off your cell phone and removing it
from your body.
Third, enter into your sacred space with a sense of
anticipation. Whether you hear a word
from God or not, just the experience of being open and present to God can make
a big difference in expanding your spiritual receptivity.
Fourth, although you may have some plan for your “sacred
space” time—Bible reading, contemplative prayer, meditation, etc.—being there
is more important than what you do there.
Where is your sacred space?
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