Sanctuary

Sanctuary. What does that word mean to you? Well, the first definition in the World English Dictionary says it is "a holy place". I like that. I like that that is the first definition. A few of the other ones down the list said a temple or building. That is true too, but what I'm thinking about is a bit more abstract than just a building.

Now, when you look up the definition for "holy place", one of the definitions is "a place of pilgrimage". That's interesting, because when you look up "pilgrimage" you don't find a specific location, just "a journey made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion". To me that could be your spiritual journey or it could be to a literal place as well. For me, I know that a sanctuary can be wherever I meet with God in worship.

A place that is sacred is said to be a place devoted to God. If you decide to devote your time to God while on a walk in nature, then couldn't that be your sanctuary? Or how about having worship time in your bedroom at night or in the morning? It might not be as permanent as your church or chapel, but when we enter into God's presence in worship, no matter where we are, that place right then is a sanctuary when we devote that time to God.

When Joshua was spoken to in the desert by the commander of the Lord's army, the angel said, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." (Joshua 5:15) My hope is that now when I think about entering a building built for sanctuary or any place where I enter into God's presence in worship, that I will recognize that I am on holy ground, humbled before my Creator.