Lately I have found myself thinking about the word “sanctuary.” I was drawn to the word during a daily devotion I recently read. It made me ponder: Is our church sanctuary simply a sanitized place where we come to feel comfortable on Sundays? Or is our church a sanctuary – a sanctuary for those in need and for those marginalized – drawing in, nurturing, and rejuvenating all souls of the family of God? How do we as a parish define “sanctuary”? Is it merely a noun? Are we consumers and spectators or are we active participants? Do we earnestly desire our sanctuary to be an active state of our being – actively living out Jesus’ call in our lives?
Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 14 that we are all recipients of talents, gifted by the Spirit. Our unique gifts and talents are God-breathed, training us to live God’s way. Our gifts are shaped for the tasks God has for us. He prepares us to provide something that will be useful for all, so that we may encourage, instruct, build-up, administer peace, and establish order.
It is written: All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). So it is with our gifts and talents as well. God yearns to bring us together in harmony. Shall we boldly use our talents wherever needed, so that we may be a holy, living sanctuary to, and for, one another?
—Russ & Andrea Borgmann
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