Tim Samoff // Weblog

A couple of weeks ago, some friends spoke about “Sacred Spaces” at church. They talked about our various connections with God and how Sacred Space doesn’t have to be a church to be “holy ground” (I am capitalizing “Sacred Space” to express the importance that I give it). This is nothing new to me, though it is always a very welcome subject.

I have often thought, though rarely talked, about where my Sacred Spaces might be. Throughout my life these spaces have come and gone — and even soetimes returned. Unadulterarted nature always seems to have the power of becoming an instant Sacred Space for me, but it doesn’t always happen (wouldn’t that be a great product of the Modern church: “Instant Sacred Spaces — get yours before they’re all gone!”).

Last year, I found my Sacred Space at Matins (and that was in a church). The funny thing is, the sacredness of the space didn’t persist and I felt myself slowly returning to complacency over the course of the year. One day, after trying to fight my feelings, what once felt “holy” to me, now simply felt…forced.

Since Thursday, I have been riding the bus. Little did I know that the bus was going to become an instant Sacred Space — I definitely didn’t start riding the bus to find holy ground! But, it became sacred nevertheless.

Normally, this would probably be the end of my story, but surprisingly enough, I found a second Sacred Space on the same day (yesterday) that I realized what my bus rides were becoming to me. As I was walking home from the gym — due to the weather, this was actually the first time I have been able to walk to and from the gym — I was struck by one of the most intimate glimpses of sacredness that I have ever had. I mean, it felt like I was seeing God’s face! As I peered out over the city — the sun making its final decent into the horizon, the blue-black sky expectantly hovering above, lights popping on in every direction, the sounds and smells of the cars and factories floating on the cool breeze, a bell tower ringing a familiar tune — I was almost overcome with joy. This is what my Lord has given to me! I started to sing a favorite worship song to myself and continued on my walk; singing, humming — just loving every second of it.

But, a question arose. Are my bus rides and evening strolls the actual “spaces” that are sacred, or is there another “space” altogether?

About ten months ago, I wrote my first “MovableType” Blog entry. It was about “time.” I had been keeping an online journal, on and off, for about two years already, but this was my first real post in quite a while. It wasn’t the most profound writing by any means, but it kind of relates to what I’ve been feeling over the last couple of days.

Time. Could time be a Sacred Space?

I found two Sacred Spaces within the time of one day, but I don’t know if it had anything to do with the actual spaces. Riding the bus, well, that gives me more time than usual. Walking home provides time too. Could “holiness” and “sacredness” come from slowing down? Can holiness be experienced by taking the time to realize that everything our Creator has given us is, in fact, already holy?

The bus has continued to be a Sacred Space for me. This morning, on my short, one-transfer ride to work, I found myself sitting, listening, looking, thinking, praying… The people around me were a perfect example of God’s diversity. The conversations that made their way to my ears confirmed the fact that I am but a trifling grain of sand in the turmoil that surrounds me. The numerous environments that sped past me as I remained still in my Sacred Space affirmed the speed at which the outside world moves.

God gave me time and time made me holy.

And then an instant later, I was popped back out into the desert to wait; hoping that sanctification would return.

I don’t quite know the ramifications of all of this, but I do know one thing: for now, even if only for a short time, I have found a Sacred Space. Time.