Monumental Moments – Closer
On January 20th last year (my birthday), I went on a 24-hour sabbatical. For me, it was an intentional time to connect with God. During my sabbatical, I believe God used a symbol to remind me of who he is—a well. I was reminded that with Jesus, I am satisfied.
In the frigid cold, I found some stones and built a small circle with the rocks to represent a well. At that moment, I connected with God through tradition. A traditionalist shows their love of God through ritual and symbol, using the physical world to embody non-physical, spiritual truths. For me, on that day, it was something that I built. It could also be the observation of a holiday every year or something that you wear everyday as a reminder of God’s promise.
These practices are seen all throughout the Bible to mark significant moments where God showed up. In ancient days, people would build monuments or wear physical reminders, such as blue tassels (Numbers 15:37-40), of who God is or to obey his commands.
Tradition is also a way to look back at what God has done. In Joshua 4, God commanded the Israelites to collect 12 stones, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel, and construct a memorial to mark “where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground” (Joshua 4:22). The stone monument would serve to remind the Israelites not only of how God helped them cross the Jordan River but also of the many other times God had saved them—like during the parting of the Red Sea.
Today we wear crosses, practice holiday traditions, take communion, and, yes, build symbolic wells as physical reminders of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. These are what I like to call monumental moments that serve to remind us that Jesus took away our sins and brought us back into relationship with God. For me, I picked up a stone before I walked away from the well I built. Sometimes I still pick it up when I need a reminder that I am satisfied by Jesus.
If you are someone who best connects with God through ritual and symbolism, what can you do to create monumental moments to remember who God is and how he shows up in your life?
Questions:
Do traditions and symbols appeal to you as a way of worshiping God?
What do you need to remember about God? What’s a good way to do that?
Next Steps:
Begin a new (or pick up an old) routine practice, like morning prayer or daily Bible reading.
Publicly declare your faith by getting baptized.
Read Scripture out loud. Here are some verses that relate: 1 Samuel 7:3-17, Isaiah 12, and Isaiah 58.
Wear something that reminds you of who God is.
Prayer:
God, I don’t want to forget about who you are. I pray for physical reminders of your love and truths. This is my way of expressing my faith to you. I don’t want to go through the motions; I want to remember. I mark today as a monumental moment to remember. Amen.
This post was written by Becca Roberts, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut.
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