Sacred Space

"So Jacob rose early in the morning and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it." (Genesis 28:18)

Have you ever had an experience that was so powerful, so meaningful, that you knew you'd never forget what happened there?  Often in the Bible when characters have such experiences, they build an altar or some other sort of monument to mark out that place as special, or sacred.  If the moment was really important, they might even rename the place lining the name up with the event that occurred there.  So for example, the passage referenced above finds Jacob having a dream about angels going up and down heavenly stairs to the very throne of God.  Therefore, not only does Jacob build an altar, but he also renames the place "Bethel" (home of God).

While we don't often stop and build altars today, our minds do "bookmark" special and sacred events.  Ask any person older than 10-12 years old where they were on 9/11 and they will be able to instantly recall most if not every detail of that day!  Our brains key in on momentous events and create a space around those memories that will last our entire lifetime.  I can still remember nearly every detail of the birth of all three of my children, as if it were yesterday and can recall many details including minor conversations shared between my wife and I leading up to and during the actual labor.

I wonder what events your mind has build a "sacred space" around?  How many of these events involve your faith and your relationship with God?  

Grace & Peace,
Pastor John