Wow! I'm still in a little wonderment at what I just got to experience! Every Thursday morning our church is open for personal prayer & communion @ 6am. I've always wanted to go. Who wouldn't want quiet moments with soft music playing to read, pray and truly get prepared for the day ahead. However, with 2 small children and the rushes to get ready for school this event has never really been a do-able thing for me.
But this week, (thank you Sarah!) I got to go! I really wanted to be a part of everything the church was planning for Passion Week. There's just something about praying on Maundy Thursday. Today, almost 2000 years ago my Lord, Jesus Christ, a sinless man, was arrested - and took on my sins - took my place!
While I was sitting in the very quiet worship center I started out by reading my One Year Bible. I wrote down a few things that brought me peace and comfort and then I began praying. I prayed over the struggles of yesterday, the tasks for today, as well as many requests and needs of my brothers & sisters in the faith. And as I was praying the Lord brought to my mind a verse I had just read - but really just skimmed right by it.
Psalm 73:16-17(a)
"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God".
"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God".
Wow! This is exactly what was happening while I was praying to God! I was lifting up things to Him that I didn't understand and was quite weary over... but in those quiet moments, sitting alone in God's House - I began to gain some clarity. It seemed a wearisome task to understand this walk of faith - "until I went into the sanctuary of God". Yes, I can pray at home. Yes, I can pray while driving down the road. Yes, I can pray while the kids are being kids and all that goes with that... but there is truly something reverent, holy, and calming about entering into a place that is designated as a sanctuary of God. All I know is I went in there weary and left strengthened. I went in there anxious to hear from God and left with an ear full!
Is it just a building? Perhaps. But today it was so much more for me - and I think for the psalmist it was too. I pray that during this Passion Week - you too can find a place that's a sanctuary and gain perspective and strength from the Lord!
Is it just a building? Perhaps. But today it was so much more for me - and I think for the psalmist it was too. I pray that during this Passion Week - you too can find a place that's a sanctuary and gain perspective and strength from the Lord!
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1 comments:
So true, Penny! I hope you guys have a wonderful Easter; I am so looking forward to it!
Thanks for your devotionals; I love every one of them!
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