I don’t know about you, but I’m rarely awestruck these days. Maybe it’s just me, but in our frenzied, hurried world, it feels like we barely have time to think. Add to that our hyper-partisan political environment that seems to encourage an “us” versus “them” mentality. It’s no wonder then that many of us are yearning for a bit more wonder in out spiritual lives. To be sure, the Sabbath allows us to unwind, enjoy family and friends and sometimes commune with nature. Yet, sometimes even our Sabbath routine can become a frenzy of activity. This leaves us with the question, where do we go to find the transcendence that we so desperately need.
Once or twice a year, Ed and I go down to the Washington National Cathedral. Sometimes we just go down and walk around. Occasionally, we attend services. Christmas Day, we attended a lovely (albeit packed) organ concert. I love to just wander around the Cathedral, taking it all in. There’s something about those beautiful, high vaulted ceilings and exquisite stained glass windows that speaks to me of God’s majesty and grace. Perhaps it’s all of the details—from the needle pointed kneeling cushions, to the elaborate candelabras, or the meticulously carved out statues of Bible figures—all of which reveal a loving Lord who cares about these details. (Wouldn’t you love to watch the artisans as they ply their trade making those statues?)
Recently, our world witnessed the horrific fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It was difficult to watch the central spire collapse in the flames inferno and not be moved. I’ve never been there, but listening to the passersby, I got the sense that the damage to this exquisite edifice was a real blow to the Parisian soul. They are a determined people, resolute in their commitment to rebuild. For now, Paris—and our world—has lost a Holy space. It will be a while before it’s restored. We are left with a sense of just how fragile our world really is.
These exquisite edifices teach us anew the importance of wonder to our spiritual lives! Who can gaze at the architectural feat of a flying buttress and not simply marvel at its ingenuity? Then there’s the fact that these wonderful cathedrals took hundreds of years to build. In our world, we become frustrated when a friend takes more than a few minutes to text us back! Imagine the generations of families who labored much of their lives just to finish a small portion of a cathedral. Finally, these magnificent spaces remind us that our Lord is larger and more wonderful than you or I can ever hope to understand. That will lead us to the one thing He wants most of all for us to have: a humble heart.
Cathedrals may not be your thing. So you’ll have to decide where you need to go to find your “Holy space.” It may be that your ‘space’ is a favorite drive you take with your spouse. Maybe your space is found spending the afternoon with a cherished friend. Perhaps your space is simply rereading a favorite part of the scriptures by yourself.
Wherever your space is, make it a point to go there this week. My guess is that you’ll be renewed and maybe even transformed!