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Thriving for Wilderness and Sanctuary
By Marc | November 26, 2008
This last week during our hiatus, our plan was to get away from the site, the comic, and anything not related to family, work, or survival. Personally, I had gotten burned out for a time, not feeling driven and just writing for the sake of writing because I needed to post that day. I was feeling negligent in my relationship with God, even though I went to church and two Bible studies each week. I was just going through the motions.
The Wilderness. On November 15th, a few days after we made our decision to take the weeklong break, I attended the LeadNow simulcast. One of the speakers, I think it was Francis Chan (sorry I don’t have my notes here, but Francis ROCKS anyway), talked about the wilderness experience as a recurring theme in scripture.
Sometimes people sought out the wilderness, and sometimes the wilderness was thrust upon them, but it’s an integral part of revelation and closeness with God. The wilderness could be just what it sounds like: the desert, mountains, hiking, camping. It could also mean hardship that forces you into dependence on Jesus rather than the comforts of this world. The first description is definitely more desirable and the second is something I hope nobody feels they need to strive for.
I knew then, when we took that break, I wanted make a conscious effort to spend time alone with God without distractions. I had wanted to for quite a while, but this break seemed like the perfect time.
I can give something from my own experience though: if you’re going to seek out wilderness, make a determined effort. I still found I had way too many distractions. Some were unavoidable, like sickness, emergencies, and simply caring for the family. But, I really should have stayed away from the television, Internet, and the $3.99 used games at Hollywood (Dragon Quest VIII, you are indeed a time-killer).
But, you know, one doesn’t need 40 years, 40 days, or even 40 hours in order to connect with God. My closest time this last week was a half hour one night sitting in the car in the driveway. It was dark, quiet, and peaceful. Julie is able to even find time to herself in the house as long as I’m there to watch the kids. She’s able to focus past the noise and find prayer and peace.
The thought came to me that I only need maybe 30 minutes a day to separate myself from the world in order to be still and quiet, hoping to learn something. I have yet to put that into practice, but I’ve found turning the radio off while driving helps. Even if it’s Christian radio, it still distracts and doesn’t provide the right focus.
Sanctuary. I’m not meaning sanctuary for me, but me as a sanctuary for God.
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You
One day driving home, I found myself singing that tune. Ironically, I learned it from someone I’d harbored bitterness toward for far too long. Singing it made me think of that person again. Then it hit me…I was being a total hypocrite. I wanted to be close to God, but my heart was a mess.
The book of Leviticus is full of information about cleanliness and worship. When I first read it, I saw it as just a list of regulations. Some for general health and some I thought made just so people were paying attention, but still just regulations. But my friend Sean saw it as a manual for a relationship with God, something I hadn’t even considered.
When we come before God, sometimes we’re at our lowest and a prayer is often “on the fly”. But, if we plan on worshiping and praying, make sure we’re prepared. We don’t have to sacrifice livestock or separate ourselves from the camp anymore, but we’ve still got to keep in mind whose presence we want to be in. In a life in Christ, it doesn’t mean wash behind your ears, scrub your face, and put on your Sunday best. The heart’s got to be in the right place.
When I’m filled with anger, contempt, pettiness, selfishness, am I making God feel at home? Do I invite someone over to my house, even someone I’m not fond of let alone the Maker of the Universe, and not bother to at least straighten up? If I’ve got bitterness in my heart, I’ve got no business calling on the Lord, unless it’s to help me overcome my bitterness.
Well, those are just a few things I need to work on. If you have some advice to share or a story, please leave a comment.
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