You who live in the in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 NRSV)

Reflections by Keith Funk

The Lenten journey is taking us into Holy Week. As I have alluded to recently, Lent is a season we observe, but not as distant bystanders. Lent is the season of journey with our Lord. God is ever near. Because of this, we can know that in his presence, there is peace. I think of this as peace in the presence of God’s sacred shelter. Where he is, there is peace. For us, may we receive his presence, the place of sacred shelter and the place of peace.

Now I do believe we have a need for sacred space in our day. Space set-apart as sacred helps us receive sacred shelter. My own background is in the Church of the Brethren. Our worship settings are simple, and our worship practice far less liturgical than the worship of my Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutheran brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, I can say I have experienced God’s sheltering presence in both ornate as well as simple sanctuaries. This can also apply to setting apart space in our homes. It can be a particular chair, or any place where time is designated for spiritual or sacred practice at that place. Having designated space for sacred shelter serves as an invitation to necessarily take time to turn from daily routines and activities to refocus and to be drawn into sacred encounter. I think there is something of this in Jesus’ words: “But when you pray, go into a room by yourself, shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret…” (Matthew 6:6 REB)

In my years in the pastorate, one place I encountered as sacred shelter was the hospital bedside. I would read the Scriptures and pray with patients and often with their families. (Incidentally, Psalm 91 was a reading I regularly shared on such occasions—note the verses above.) As we shared this place and time together, God’s presence was palpable. We shared and were embraced by our sheltering God. Furthermore, on such occasions, there was often a receptiveness of such presence and love, that hope, comfort, and peace filled the room.

When life is lived in receptivity to God, in welcome of Christ, we ready ourselves to encounter the sacred and to know of sacred shelter. This doesn’t mean that our questions will end, our doubts will cease, or resolutions to life’s difficulties will become inevitable. Our faith in God is far more a journey than it is an arrival at a predetermined destination. Making sacred space a practice, however, can help us to receive the presence and care of the God who is there to meet us where we are. The stories of Jesus in the gospels are stories of our Lord’s attentiveness to those who come to him in space and time. As they did, they were encountered by the incarnate God.

This Holy Week, take time to seek sacred shelter. By observing sacred space, you can prepare to receive him as the One who readily receives you, welcoming and assuring you of his shelter.

Peace be with you.