I Kings 8:10-11 When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the Lord’s temple, and the priests were unable to carry out their duties due to the cloud because the Lord’s glory filled the Lord’s temple.
This past spring, Swann and I took a tour of the UK and Ireland. When I reflect on our 15 days touring the countryside, one word that describes our experience is magical. According to my dictionary, this word can mean “beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life.” This certainly describes the state of utter joy I felt as we visited so many enchanting sites. The grandeur of God’s creation in the landscape and the deep historical connections to our own country fascinated us from start to finish.
One such town that delighted was called Grasmere, located in the UK. We had stopped there for lunch and had time to amble through the town for a bit. Swann and I happened upon a church called Grasmere Parish. According to a sign outside of the entrance, the register of parish priests there began in 1254 AD, and parts of the present architecture dated back to roughly 1300 AD. The church was open to the public, so we quietly stepped inside. The silence spoke reverence and awe at the simple countryside architecture. This was no grand London cathedral, but its simplicity fit the small-town feel of Grasmere. As the early afternoon sun shafted through the stained-glass windows, and the countryside air wafted through the open doors, we were drawn into the history of the many lives this church had touched. The history of villagers was brought to life through plaques and commemorative pictures. How many births and baptisms over the centuries had been celebrated there? How many funerals? We meandered through the cemetery before heading back to our bus. Many gravestones were too worn to even read, but the grave markers stood testament to the many lives who were touched by this parish.
While God doesn’t reside in a church structure or temple, I do believe that “his glory fills the Lord’s temple” as our focus verse states. There is great comfort in sitting quietly in our own St. John’s sanctuary and just soaking in the silence, listening for the voice of God. As Pastor Caroline stated in her sermon, our church structure houses God’s people and enables us to serve and “do life” together. Here, within its structure, we are family. Dear Lord, thank you for buildings that sustain our church families through years and millennia!
Blessings to all this week!
Diana
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