Sanctum

There is nothing quite better for me than to be at home. As much as I love the idea of traveling and seeing and experiencing new places, I am always grateful to be able to come back home. In my teenage years there were times I could not wait to get out of the house "for good," but even then I would always seem to gravitate back to that place where I felt most at secure.

Everyone has a place where they feel safe and at ease. In my home, I feel so very satisfied when I am sitting at the kitchen table reading or typing on my computer (as I am now). This is a special place for me, especially when I can withdraw here away from the craziness of life and enjoy even a few moments alone. These moments become more valuable to me as the schedule of my days require more time from me.

Where is your safe place, your sanctum where you can get away from it all and be lavished in solitude? Do you have such a place? As much as I enjoy withdrawing for some peace and quiet, all of time in the world that I could spend "away" would be meaningless if it was only about me. My desire to get away to a safe place is more than just for me to get my bearings or catch a break. No, my need to find a sanctum has everything with my desperate need for God and His presence in everything that I am or think.

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 32:7, "You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with shouts of deliverance." Elsewhere we read in Psalm 36:7, "God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."

Isn't it obvious where our security and peace comes from? Sure, I feel safe in a special location but if God is not there then it is only a deceptive spot on the map. God is our sanctum, our peace, our harbor. Jesus urges us, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

In our inner sanctuary - God with us and in us, Jesus defining us as our all in all - we find that our burdens are not so heavy nor are our needs so desperate.