Sanctuary

My wife was reading a comment I left on a previous post and had something like this to say, "That part about the precious building sounds kinda condescending." I believe what I said was right because, as anyone who knows me knows, I usually am...calm down, I'm just kidding. When it comes to being right, however, the wife usually is...I'm not kidding, she really is. So, since she usually is right I gotta believe it did sound kinda condescending, which is not how I meant it at all...so, for the sake of understanding, I feel the need to explain myself just a bit.

As humans the way we "feel" can be greatly influenced by our surroundings. Great minds have spent countless hours studying why we're this way, I'm sure, but I'm satisfied with...God created us this way. One piece of Himself that God gave us was the ability to create. We see artist create paintings, sculptures, writings...and buildings. There was a time in history when the connection between the arts and the Creator was celebrated, and there seems to be a renewing of this knowledge. The stunning beauty of many of these buildings is a testament to a beautiful God who loves beauty. His definition and our definition of beauty are probably very different, but in our understanding of beauty these buildings can help us relate to Him.

The layout of these building can also affect our psyche. Ever notice how just about every sanctuary has a vestibule that you enter first. You come in from outside (the world), enter the vestibule leaving "the world" out there, and prepare to come into "the presence of God" (the sanctuary). The physical layout of these buildings can help produce the respect, awe and undivided attention God deserves from us. I respect that these buildings assist many in preparation for and the actual worship of God.

We need space to get alone with God sometimes. For some that space is within the walls of a building designed for just that, but for others it can be something entirely different. I have a friend who it is an understatement to call him an avid hunter. He loves the outdoors!!! He has confided in me on several occasions that he feels closer to God in the woods than he ever has "in church". I, myself, love to be outdoors...hiking, camping, and marveling at the natural beauty of God's creation. That's when I often feel closest to Him. Jesus spent time in the Temple (a building) as well as frequently went to "the garden" to spend time with God.

I do have some issues with buildings, though. For starters, when the building no longer assists us in our worship of God, but becomes the focus of our worship. When it's all about what's happening "here". Another is while the physical layout can help us in or worship, I think it can also be a stumbling block. Does this layout sub-consciously suggest we can separate our "regular" life from our "spiritual" life? Is this mentality further supported when a preacher places so much importance on actual attendance to the sanctuary?

Contrary to popular belief, God does not reside in the sanctuary...He resides in us. We are the temple. To suggest that a building is more sacred than the outdoors, because God lives there is not in any way, shape or form scriptural! When people are gathered there in His name, then He is present, but when people are gathered in any location in His name He is present. At the end of the day, when everyone goes home...it's just a building. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the church can gather in a dedicated building with God present, but the church and God's presence have nothing to do with the dedicated building.