Tent Talk

“Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”  Exodus 25:8

Many years ago, a few weeks before Christmas, my husband came home sporting a smug smile.  When asked the reason for his joy, he said he had just purchased my Christmas present.  Not always being the patient sort, I asked what it was, but, of course, he would not tell.  He did, however, give one hint:  “It’s bigger than a microwave and smaller than a microwave.”  I’ve never told him until now, but those few words were enough to figure it out—I was getting a tent.

I can’t truthfully tell you I was delighted.  In fact, I called my sister and bemoaned the fact that while on Christmas morning she would be tearing into beautiful baubles or fun outfits, I would be unwrapping an aluminum a-frame waiting to be shakily assembled and loosely draped with a somewhat-waterproof canvas—and faking excitement while doing so.

But you can guess the rest—the lamented gift turned into a big blessing.  In the years that followed, we had a blast tossing our tent in the truck and heading out on overnight adventures in campgrounds, state parks, forests far and near, and even an evening in the woods across the street.  We look back and laugh at the windstorm in the Keys, the monsoon on the coast, the robber raccoon who ate all the cough drops and Pepto-Bismol, and our often leaky air mattress crowded to the corner by pallets and portable baby beds for three little girls.  Something about the tent brought us closer.  Ordinary distractions were discarded, regular responsibilities were delayed, and we simply focused on fun together.

Maybe that’s why when God decided to dwell with man, He chose to live in a tent.

Please don’t think our two tents were anything alike.  God’s was much bigger than mine and way nicer.  Instead of flimsy canvas, His boasted “ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker”(Ex 26:1).  No surplus store tarp protected His top from the elements, but layers of goat’s hair, ram’s skins, and dyed manatee hides did the trick.  Aluminum brackets weren’t nice enough to hold the divine dwelling together—only gold hooks, silver bases, and bronze pegs would do.  

God’s tent would take up more than several modern campsites these days.  The main structure was about 15 feet wide and 45 feet long, and the linen-enclosed courtyard was 150 by 75, but the entire operation was a lot like mine—packable, portable, and serving one purpose—to be together.  When God’s people came to the tabernacle, ordinary distractions were to be discarded, regular responsibilities delayed, and they were to simply focus on being close to Him.    

I know today is different.  I know that the church is just a brick and mortar building no more sacred on its own than the nearby mall.  I know that worship can and should take place in all kinds of places on all kinds of days.  I know that the children of God are now the temple of God and that by His grace we live in His presence instead of having to wait for a special occasion to come near. But, no matter the location or the situation, the truths of the tent are still timely—nothing is too good for God; He deserves our best in every area, even down to the “tent pegs” of our lives; His Presence is what makes something special; and being close to Him is the most beautiful place we could ever be.

Never get to busy to “camp out” with God.  

Sometimes life’s least anticipated surprises turn out to be the best!

The Standing Invitation

“Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.”  Exodus 24:7

The invitation was astounding—“Come spend time with God.”  

Surely Israel’s seventy elders and four leaders could hardly believe their ears or their eyes.  They had been summoned to see the One no one could look at, and yet, ^“Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel”(Ex 24:9). 

In an aura of blue brilliance they beheld the Almighty Sovereign of the universe, but it was more than just glance and go; they stayed for supper!  “Under God’s feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But He did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank”(Ex 24:11).

How cool is that??  And how incredibly revealing for it reminds us that worship is not a spectator sport but an engaging encounter.  It shows us that our God desires relationship—the kind of being together where we sit and talk and share a meal.  Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I spent many Saturday and Sunday evenings “going visiting.”  Often our family was ushered into formal living rooms where we sat stiffly and made small talk, but sometimes we were invited to stay for supper.  Around tables large and small in crowded kitchens or spacious dining rooms, over simple sandwiches or fancy feasts, real fellowship took place.  We listened, laughed, shared, prayed, and just enjoyed spending time with folks who also loved the Father. 

That’s why God had those guys hang around and eat.  He wanted them (and us) to understand that to really know Him, we have to do more than occasionally glance His way or swing by for a quick chat.  We need to “stay for supper”—to let Him open the crammed cupboard of His Word and feed us all its rich delights.  We need to treat the Bible not as a convenient drive-thru menu but as the fixed courses of delicious dinner prepared by a simply Divine chef.  

“Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”(Rev 3:20)  This verse is often repeated as a call to salvation, but that’s not its true context.  The words were spoken to believers who had gotten so busy collecting the stuff of this world that they failed to realize their real hunger.  The remedy for the lukewarm church at Laodicea was to spend time with the Savior.

It’s the same for us. We need to realize that God’s invitation isn’t for a “come and go” but for a “sit and stay.”  Yes, we all have crowded schedules, countless demands, and pressing responsibilities, but the best way to do what we need to do and do it well is to regularly accept the open invite to “come up to the Lord.”

The astounding invitation still stands.

Come on in and be filled up.

Not All At Once

“Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”  Exodus 23:30

Ever wonder why God doesn’t do something all at once? That’s the way we think things should occur—quickly, completely, and, preferably, right now.  

Since our salvation was an all-at-once accomplishment—an entire and absolute work done on the cross and defined by the triumphant declaration, ”It is finished,”— it seems like God would follow the same pattern when it comes to our sanctification.  But He does not.  Though our position of being completely His happened in an instant; our practice of living like it is a process. And God is good with that.  In fact, He often prefers the progressive to the immediate.  

Back in the day when the Israelites were heading from the land of bondage to the land of blessing, God gave them this promise—“I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in single year”(Ex 23:28-29).  Why not?  Why not get rid of all the enemies all at once?  Because that wouldn’t have been best. “I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you”(Ex 23:29).

 

Too much empty space too fast would have produced different dangers and difficult challenges, so God moved gradually to give His people room to grow.  ^“Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land”(Ex 23:30).

Maybe that’s why God is “moving slow” in your life.  Perhaps He’s growing your faith, increasing your love, or developing your self-control.  Sure, He could cause immediate change in your situation or circumstance, but His plan is to work in you, through you, and for you, and only He knows what pace is perfect. “Little by little” God will remove and refine until you can handle what He’s handing you.  

Make progress in the process and trust God’s timing.

Not all at once doesn’t mean not at all.

Savor The Season

“Make the most of every opportunity.”  Colossians 4:5

Summer has come to a shrieking halt.  Today's early morning alarm jolted me awake and bolted me into action.  Responsibilities and opportunities demanded I get busy and stay that way. Though, as usual, the lazy days passed too quickly, this summer was a bit different than others because for the first time in a long time, a for-sure full-time job meant my freedom was finite.

It’s amazing how the moments became more precious when I knew they were limited, and this summer, time was of the essence.  Whether I was sleeping in or cleaning out, laughing with friends or loving my family, relaxing at home or running the road, the realization I only had a few unscheduled weeks prompted me to make the most of each minute and savor every second.  All were more fully appreciated, more intensely enjoyed, and more richly treasured. 

The obvious question now courses through my mind—“Shouldn’t I live all the seasons like I lived this summer?”  And the only right answer is, “Yes!”

All of our moments are limited, and life as we know it will not last.  Such certainty sobers and excites.  We know a fantastic forever awaits when the eternal alarm sounds, but we’re also aware that our focus on the future should enhance and not detract from today.  Keeping our eyes on the prize increases delight in the daily because we’re here on earth to enjoy our Creator and His creation.  We exist to shine His light and to flavor lives with grace and truth.  We should make the most of every opportunity to love, to laugh, to see, to do, to share, to hug, to listen, to sing, to smile, to cry, to witness, to worship, to serve, to praise, to give, and to live. 

Knowing that God has numbered the days we have on earth to bring Him glory should make all our moments more fully appreciated, more intensely enjoyed, and more richly treasured.  Don’t let the routine of life lull you into lethargy. Live every season like it’s summer!

The day is short.
Seize it.  Savor it.  And show God’s glory.