Week 9: Day 5
Iona chats about sobbing through The Shack and how we can find our sanctuary with God.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Intro: Hi and welcome back to Orbit, a short daily reflection to help you put God at the centre of your life. My name's Iona and today we're going to look at Psalm 9 to finish off this week's Orbit.
Bible: (Message translation)
God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.
Thoughts: The verse reminded me of a film. Have you ever watched The Shack? I've watched it three times now, but the third time (which was a few weeks ago) for whatever reason, it all literally just hit me. I wept for two hours - and I have photo evidence!
In short, the story is about a guy called Mack who grew up in an abusive home. Mack grows up with a family of his own. Unlike his wife, he has no real connection with God following some of his childhood trauma. But he then tragically loses his daughter after she is kidnapped. Mack goes into a state of depression and complete loss. He is broken by the whole thing and angry at God. He then goes on a process of healing, where he's invited to 'meet with God' at the shack that his daughter was found. The film physically represents God with three different characters; God (who is portrayed as Mother), Jesus and Holy Spirit. They lead Mack through this stunning process of healing and forgiveness, even in all of his doubts, questions, and pain.
It’s a beautiful image of us coming to God and bringing all our pain to him. It was a fresh reminder of the patience of God.
Do you ever know that feeling of going on holiday and the first few days your brain is still busy and in school or work mode and you can be aggy/not really with it? You’re still in God-mode. I sometimes feel that's how we enter God's presence. We struggle to connect, our heads still full of things. But we don’t cut the holiday at day two. So I encourage you to keep trying.
I have a sort-of third Grandma called Irene, and when I knock on her door, I am never sorry I knocked. Whatever state I go to her house, I always come back with a smile on my face. And if I can feel that with someone who loves Jesus, how much more of a sanctuary is it going to be spending time with the real deal God?
John Mark Comer in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry quotes Corrie Ten Boom:
“’If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.’ There’s truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.”
In other words, it's pretty important for us to have that space with Jesus. And that space doesn't just appear. We have to make it.
Challenge: So, we are approaching the weekend! Metaphorically take off your shoes, come home and relax with God. Find that place of rest with him, you won’t be sorry that you knocked.
Prayer: Thank you that you are patient and gentle. I pray that we would find our sanctuary in you and learn the discipline of time with you. Amen.