We all have places, things, and people who are like sanctuaries to us.
My friend and I decided to walk a nature trail at our local state park, a place of beauty and peace. We had not gone too far before we found the trail roped off. Refusing to be deterred, we went under the rope and continued, expecting to find a couple of broken boards or small trees down from the recent hurricane.
As we ventured further on the trail, we found it much harder to travel than we expected. The bridge was out in places, large trees were down, and so much debris covered the trail that we couldn’t even tell where the trail was. We got scraped, constantly had to watch our feet for debris and hidden snakes, and even heard a loud, unexplained noise. Our usual sanctuary turned into a place of great fear.
We are supposed to feel safe with our families and friends. We should feel relaxed in our homes, jobs, and churches. But what happens when we don’t? The people we love the most can turn their backs on us. Homes, jobs, and churches can turn into places of deception and fear. Sanctuaries can become places of dread.
The only true sanctuary we have is in God. He is unchanging. We should never place our value on what other people think or the world’s standards. Our true identity is being a child of the King.
Even in the darkest places in our lives, we do not have to worry that God will turn us away. He tells us He will be with us even as we pass through waters or through the fire. We will not be swept away or burned.
When your sanctuary feels violated—and your friends seem more like foes—remember God is always there. It may seem dark, but it’s just because He’s passing by. Eventually, when the storm is over, you will be able to see He was there all the time.
Don’t try to find your sanctuary in the world.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Joanna Bryan has been a second grade teacher for the last fifteen years and also leads Bible studies and Sunday school at her church. She is married, has two teenage sons, and enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her family.