“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” (Psalm 26:4 NIV)
Yesterday I read the incredibly specific instructions for the Tabernacle listed in Exodus 26. It was an ornate Temple-Tent that would accompany the Israelites throughout their travels and into the Promised Land. The Tabernacle would stand until Solomon finally finished a brick and mortar home for God in 957 BC. As I read through the detailed instructions for every pole and curtain, lamp stand and bowl, I thought about my own creative process.
Today I’m attempting to assemble a ceremonial mikvah out of canvas, plastic tablecloths and a bluetooth speaker. I’m teaching on baptism and want to provide my students with a multi-sensory experience. I know my creative self quite well, I have a general idea of what I’m hoping to accomplish, but the final outcome is typically a bit fuzzy and could very well evolve along the way.
God’s creative process is entirely more stable. I suppose it has to do with His omnipresence: He could see the final project as though it already was. Because, for Him, it was. When You are omniable; the future is just as solid as the past. It may also have been be that the Tabernacle on earth was a dusty, flimsy reproduction of His home in heaven, like a dime-store plastic model of Mustang Shelby. Either way, as God spoke the tabernacle plans to His people, there was no trial and error, no hard scrabble to figure it out or trouble-shoot structural shortcomings. God had given His worshippers a perfect architectural and creative schematic of His divine dwelling.
When I read of the first Tabernacle, I try to imagine it’s splendor. It’s mind boggling, to consider such a large, expensive and intricate tent assembled, disassembled and reassembled over and over again in the wilderness. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos detailing the specifications as described in scripture. My favorite thought has to be the Holy of Holies. The secret place was unlit by flame: deep within the heavy layers of fabric and gold, the innermost room was revealed by God’s glory alone.
When we were in Jerusalem, we visited an outdoor model of the ancient city. We spent almost an hour there, pouring over all the details and the layout; familiarizing ourselves with as much of the diorama as we could in just one visit. Then one of our travel companions pointed it out: all the pastors on our tour had unknowingly gathered at the temple, drawn to the details: trying to imagine the cloud of God’s presence and the scent of the ongoing sacrifice. It’s safe to say, we each have an ongoing fascination with God’s house.
We experience deep desire to live in God’s habitat because we want to live close to Him. We want to spend eternity in right relationship as a member of His household, enjoying ongoing intimacy with the Living God.
In today’s reading we are reminded of our one thing: a life-consuming appetite for God’s presence. David implores us: let divine desire frame out all our days. Live ready and willing to die for this all-encompassing cause. Let your longing for heaven fill your senses, limit your choices and determine your future.
“My heart says “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8 NIV)
Lord, we love You. Become our one thing. Preoccupy us with Your presence. Set our sights on heaven. We want to dwell with You all of our days. Amen.