Back in the 80’s and 90’s, one of my favorite movies was Highlander.  ( Any movie with Sean Connery in a supporting role is awesome! )

One of the things  I loved about it, besides the incredible swordsmanship, was the use church grounds, and especially Sanctuaries.  If you are in a sanctuary, you are safe – end of story – no fighting ever allowed.  They were places of peace, places where even evil had to bow and follow the rules.  A place of respite, a place to calm one’s nerves and remember what life – even eternal life, was about.

I think our world is in desperate need of such sanctuaries – to know they exist, to know that they are in their midst – to know that they are welcome in them.  The roof won’t collapse if they come in, lightning won’t strike, but instead they will find rest, restoration, healing, peace as they, for a moment can re-focus that they are loved by God, that the price of freeing them from anxiety, freeing them from fear, from death and sin, and freeing them from the oppression of Satan has been long since taken away.

It’s not that God isn’t with us  24/7/366, but that we need to remember His presence, we need to heal, and yes, we need a safe place to witness God restore relationships long thought destroyed…

By the way – Christian sanctuaries aren’t a place restricted to  holy people – but don’t be surprised if when you come – you leave knowing that you are Holy, declared so by God himself.  To use a olde english term – found in our confession of our trust in God  (aka a creed)  and in the movie Highlander – we’ve been quickened.  Which simply means – that God, through His word, through His word and actions – we’ve been brought to life.  In a way we could never expect – and still struggle to comprehend.

So visit a sanctuary this weekend, spend some time reveling in God’s peace, and realize – that you never are missing that peace… even on Friday….