Refuge

Refuge is one of my most favorite words in the English language. Sanctuary is another. The two words are interchangeable in my opinion. They essentially mean the same thing - a safe place.

As a teenager, one song we sang frequently at church camp was titled, "Sanctuary." The lyrics simply state: "Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary for you."

As a teenager, I really didn't understand what those lyrics meant. Now more than 20 years later... I still really don't get it. What I do know is that what I feel inside most often is not a safe place, but a place of constant turmoil. Fears and anxieties wage war with the Spirit of Peace who lives inside me. My selfish nature rages against the Holy Spirit's self-sacrificing nature. I hear so many words of advice that would sound good, but does not seem to agree with the Bible. More often I feel torn between my sinful nature and the nature of God which is at work to transform my life.

I am not a sanctuary. But I find refuge when I lay my burdens down, stop trying to do things my way or get what I want, and just rest in Jesus. He is my refuge. My safe place.