Seeking Sacred

(Including something special for you!)

I have another gift for you! It will make more sense once we think about sacred places, so you’ll find it at the bottom of this post. 😊

The Observation Deck still inspires creativity during this writing season full of detail-focused editing and preparation for the new book. The pack of cards features activities that encourage writers, and you might remember it from a previous post.

My current card suggests that a specially designated writing space could nurture ideas and promote a disciplined page-to-pen routine. Perhaps a favorite candle, photos, art, favorite pens, or displayed quotes would create a “sacred” environment. In this context, the word doesn’t mean holy, but instead set apart for thoughtful work with words.

But this is what I had.

There’s no way writing will happen on a desk covered in a drop cloth, paint, and brushes. The space was overcome with supplies left over after an art night with friends on Zoom. Clearly, this needed to be cleaned. Then it could become a sacred space.

After some much-needed attention, notebooks are ready and the desk now has room for my laptop. Shells and rocks from the beach are sprinkled among a few joyful items, like my first colorful attempt at embroidery and a glass chicken that reminds me of childhood at my Mamaw and Papaw’s house. Life-filled plants usher in fresh air from the open window. And though the paintbrush caddy remains, it *does* represent creativity, right?

However, it didn’t feel any more sacred than before.

There might as well have been a light bulb shining above my head when I finally realized what was missing: the creating. It doesn’t matter how clean or messy the desk is, what makes it sacred is expression through art or with words. And when it was a virtual Zoom gathering place, friends across the country laughed and encouraged each other. That made it even more special.

What about *actual* sacred places, the places where we meet with God? How do we find or create these places?

In John 4:21-24, a Samaritan woman pointed out to Jesus that, while her people believed that the mountain was the hallowed place to worship the Lord, the Jewish people regarded the temple in Jerusalem as the proper worship location. While sipping cool well water, Jesus explained, “Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Sacred is wherever God is, and His Spirit is within us. We can’t really build sacred places, but we find them anywhere we worship Him. Talking to God? Sacred. Humming a praise song? Sacred. Reading the Word? Also sacred. Loving our neighbor with Christ’s compassion? Definitely sacred. Gathering with our siblings in Christ to honor Him is yet another way we discover holy ground in the Lord’s presence.

Right this moment, wherever you are, is a perfect sacred space. Whether through a short, heartfelt prayer or extended quiet time in God’s peace, we are near His heart.

So here’s the gift I have for you! I gathered some special Easter music for your worship time- that’s honestly delightful throughout the entire year. Check it out here (if you don’t already use Spotify, it’s free and easy)! Be blessed, dear friend.