February 19 - Loving the Church

Here is the church,
Here is the steeple,
Open the doors,
And see all the people.

Remember that childhood game? Fingers intertwined with two making a point for the steeple? Other fingers become the people when the doors are opened. Do you remember the reverse of that hand configuration? No people.

No fingers - those miracles of creation which are able to do so many things for us. With them we handle a fork for our nourishment. We make beautiful music on instruments. We write letters and wipe away tears. We point directions for others and wear wedding rings signifying never-ending love and loyalty.

Come let us go into the house the Lord-the Sanctuary, the Temple, the Tabernacle, where in the time of the Former Testament, God dwelt (Psalm 26:8). Now, we know that He lives in our hearts, wherever we are.

Intertwine your fingers again and open the doors. This time the people are there, held together by your hands. We need a Home, a Hand, to hold us together, where we wipe away the tears of others and learn to write letters of encouragement. We need a place where we can point a child to Godliness, a place where our marriages are blessed and where we ask God to bless our children. A place to be nourished for the many tasks God calls His people to perform-for His Glory.

That "Hand," that Sanctuary, that Steeple, that Tower (Psalm 61:3), is our strength and our beacon to the world that God dwells in us and in our congregation-for His own Glory.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of
My life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire
In His temple. Psalm 27:4.

- Lenore Kirkpatrick