A few years ago, the Lincoln car company produced a series of ads with actor Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey would be driving a Lincoln through some vast wilderness, fishing on some remote lake, or enjoying the interior of the car at a noisy train crossing. All the ads end with the phrase, “The Power of Sanctuary.” The obvious implication was that the new Lincolns were so nice they brought you peace just driving them or simply sitting and enjoying the plush leather seats.
During the week I’ll occasionally walk through the church. Sometimes it’s to pray for the congregation or gather my thoughts; other times it’s just to stretch my legs. I paused in our sanctuary today and remembered watching those commercials. I thought to myself, “Boy, they missed the boat by a mile on that one.” I closed my eyes and felt the power of a real sanctuary. A place where we gather as a church to worship the God of the universe… the Alpha and Omega–the one who created and controls it all– yet still desires to be in relationship with us, His people. There’s not a car or anything man-made that can touch the power of that kind of sanctuary. I was left with the simple feeling of being thankful.
This Sunday, we will start a new series on Gratitude. What does it mean to have an attitude of gratitude… to be perpetually thankful?
Hope to see you Wednesday night!
Grace and peace,
Aaron pastoraaronhinton@gmail.com
(704) 300-0081