Sanctuary

Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless the Lord."

Planting my sunflower garden out my kitchen window,  I stand, sipping my coffee, speaking to the Lord in quiet summer morning reflection. This week, the sunflowers began to open up and I was daily inspired by their faces of glory coming from a little black and white seed. Each day, I've tried to capture a picture, and an inspirational thought to encourage myself and others.



Living in California, our seasons do not fluctuate with such profound definition as other parts of the country. We stay dry, breezy, and temperate; sometimes we'll get an occasional rumble of the earth under your feet. The summer season brings back many memories for all of us, vacation trips with family, sunset beach strolls, camp, and neighborhood gatherings and reunions-- family time. 



SUNFLOWERS.  
THE summer flower, stretching up so quickly and bursting at every branch with buds and promise. The bees gathering their nectar, the beetles taking refuge under the leaves, the praying mantis looking for sustenance, the large leaves like hands lifted up; such diversity and promise. It reminds me of  THE CHURCH, the one Christ left for us to serve in, the Body of Christ. That's what it is, a worship place, a sanctuary out my kitchen window.



Do you have such a place?

Are you dry, blowing here and there with the wind?

steady temperature...

neither hot nor cold?

Unmoving, dormant, infested...

Will you lose your balance if your world decides to tremor?

When was the last time you lifted your hands in complete surrender to Him, trusting in the seeds planted in your heart?

Today in my own struggles and prayer, God brought one verse to mind, one I treasure always as God's wise counsel:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowlege Him and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6.

I trust when I planted that seed that a sunflower will arise;
 mighty, tall, and glorious-- all it's parts, all working together to delight me.

...but I did have to bury it, water it, even plant a stake or two. Growing a Sanctuary is a team effort.

God and me. 

Now, I stand among them, hands lifted in worship to the Creator, in a Sanctuary of Praise.

God gives me a season, I praise Him for His Church in which I can serve and I lift my hands to His glory and promise. 

Your season?

Right now. 

Plant yourself in His Sanctuary. Lift your hands with others, learning, growing, --sometimes needing stakes and bug spray-- worshippers.  One day, He will gather up His bundle of Sunflowers, and take His Bride Home. 

Bless the Lord.