A Different Kind of Sanctuary

...entering into the wonder of God’s created world...

I’m sharing something a little different today. If the video below doesn’t populate in your feed, you can watch it at this link. Enjoy.

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Today I want to invite you, into a different kind of sanctuary, to a place without internet access, where there’s only earth and sky, water and trees.

Because there was a time, when, like so many of us, I spent my days, my evenings, my weekends, in front of a screen. Sure, it was for my work, but there was something deeply amiss in this digital way of life.

I noticed the way technology woos us into indoor isolation, talking with people in faraway zip codes and time zones, while missing the people right in front of us.

One of the most pernicious effects of modern technology is the way it seduces us into a sedentary lifestyle, devoid of human interaction.

But there’s a better way to live.

One of the best decisions I ever made was to physically walk away from my computer and go outside every day. I found a park nearby, and it became something of a sanctuary.

Now, in the early mornings, before the sun shows her full glory, I love walking in the quiet calm of a waking day.

There’s something about entering into the wonder of God’s created world that reorients our souls to what is real and what really matters.

It doesn’t surprise me that the very first sanctuary was a garden, with rivers and trees and rocks and flowers and every kind of creature.

All of creation sings God’s praise.

So, one of the simplest ways we can quiet the chaos of digital distraction is to close the laptop, turn off the TV, and power down the phone. Then step outside to marvel at the beauty of all that God has made.

We don’t need a fancy vacation or a big trip to the beach. A simple park nearby will do. Just find someplace outdoors that sings of God’s beauty and make it your very own sanctuary — to embrace the slow, and savor the quiet, and find rest for your soul.

Shalom.

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