An Inkling
“Get real!” So we say when someone’s not taking full
account of reality.
It’s good advice. Life doesn’t work so well when our eyes are
closed to large parts of its reality. If
we’re to live well and wisely, we must know what we’re facing. Thus the counsel: “Get real!”
So how do we do that? Usually we mean recognizing the cold, hard
facts, and double-knot tying our wishes for what could be to the actuality of what
is. Those who fail to deal with the
facts of life we tag as hopeless dreamers – not because they lack hope, but
because their dreams are so detached from actuality that they’re silly.
All of which brings us to the
Sanctuary. What?! Isn’t that where we go to get away from the cold, hard facts? That’s how we tend to think. We think of the Sanctuary as a safe place,
apart from life’s harshness. And in a
way it is. The Sanctuary, as the primary
place for us to gather and celebrate God’s goodness, is a safe place. There the Spirit does comfort, and we are met
by the Prince of Peace. Thus we think of
our Sanctuary time as a preparation for facing the real world again.
But really that’s
backwards! If we’re to “get real,” the
most important factor to include in our assessment of things is God
himself! We’re not being realistic until
we factor in the One dominant reality in every situation. How real can we be if we’re not recognizing
him? Not very. Yet that’s what tends to happen through the
days of the week – we lose sight of God.
Not so in the Sanctuary. There we are tangibly reminded of God’s
presence, and reawakened to his dominant reality. Eyes glazed over with mere facts are opened
to the One who transforms the sum of such facts by his very presence. And that’s no dream. That’s reality.
So, “get real!” See you in worship.
Blessings,
Keith
