May 15, 2009 Build an altar

'Whether viewed as 'the desert' or the 'closet,' solitude provides the private place where we can take our bearings and so make the Lord our North Star that we remain fixed on as we return to society. Thus solitude becomes not so much a place as a state of heart. It is a matter of aloneness, not loneliness. Wherever we go, whatever we face, solitude is the mobile altar in our lives that allows us to live as we worship - before the Audience of One.

Today we tend to talk of 'work' and 'leisure' as opposites. Work is serious, leisure is play, it is said. Work is drudgery, leisure is fun. Work is for pay, leisure is free. Work is what we do for someone else, leisure is for ourselves - and so on. But a moment's thought shows this is not so. For closer to the mark is the observation that the modern world has scrambled things so badly that today we worship our work, we work at our play, and we play at our worship.

That confusion is worth pondering. But the more important point is that the relationship between work and leisure changes from society to society and from generation to generation in the same society. A holiday as 'vacation' for example, is a recent invention that is quite different from the holiday as 'holy day'. So while it is fruitful to reflect on a Christian critique of society's view of leisure at any particular time, it is absolutely essential to think through Christ's view of rest and spiritual discipline for his disciples for all time. Only then can we answer the call and resist the sleep of death.'

'Do you live in a world without windows? Do you feel the time squeeze of those for whom managing time is a bigger problem than making money? Have you developed your gifts of reason and practicality to the point where your eyes of faith are blind and your weapons of spiritual warfare purely metaphorical Or do you see 'the horses and chariots of fire all around'? Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer His call.' ___ The Call, Os Guinness

We can find that place where solitude is a mobile altar, we take it wherever we go. We build it after parting the water to get to the other side. The burning chariot over head, if it doesn't sweep us off our feet, the mantle of desire to follow Him will fall on our shoulders. Then we can go back and hit the water to part it once more to continue in His call.

Whether on a mountain top or in a valley, or through a stream or a river, in our homes or our jobs, we can build an altar to connect with our God.

This is the place of miracles.
We can build an altar anywhere.


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