Sacred Space

I have attended church on Sundays for about 34 years as a practice. It started when I began my sobriety journey as a way to hold myself accountable, and over the years, it has evolved into a commitment to the tradition of service, self-reflection, community, and the exploration of a higher power built around a congregation seeking similar answers to the big questions raised in the gospel and life.

There is power in a sacred space, regardless of your tradition.

Comfort in the rhythm and tradition of the service,—inspiration in the music. The sermon is a weekly challenge to think, reflect, learn, respond to a call to action, and sometimes just be present.

It is also in the strength of a community seeking common ground and setting aside what divides us. Even if only for an hour or two. Be it our views of justice, dignity, inclusion, public policy, security, poverty, speech, political leadership, the environment, and an endless list of issues that bend our souls daily. And without exception, the power of faith that is beyond understanding.

Faith is both personal and communal, and it is clearly a journey. A journey that can bring comfort to an individual and a wider community through example, outreach, and advocacy. Power in knowing you are not alone.

Sacred space is more than a building; it is a mindset that exceeds walls. It is a call to action that stretches us to find common ground with our brothers and sisters and to meet the challenges of our time. Challenges that are bigger than any one individual. A call to set aside differences and to take on those issues that in time will consume us. The environment, poverty, unequal justice, and access to opportunity, to name a few. Issue so big that they require responses that require leaps of faith to act, and partnerships that may not already exist. Some challenges call us to do the uncomfortable. In there lies the opportunity for growth and understanding.

What better place to start than in a sacred space?

One recalls a traditional dismissal.

"This worship is ended, now the service begins."

And the knowledge, on a number of levels, that you are not alone.

And that you are called.

The question is, will you respond?