I love to walk in the woods in the morning, just clearing my head and breathing the fresh air. I love the way the sunlight shines through the green leaves. I love the way the trees tower over me like a canopy of branches. I call the woods my sanctuary, because I always feel better there somehow, and always find it so easy to know God is with me, so easy to pray. God walks with me through my forest sanctuary. Do you have a sanctuary, a place of quiet beauty where you find it easy to just be at peace and be with God? I know that no matter where we are, we are always in the shelter of His love and presence. We can picture it being like my woodland refuge:
We are in the sanctuary of His love, like being in a cathedral of trees deep in the forest. It is peaceful here, shady and refreshing. Every leaf glows with green light and waves at us in the breeze, like a friendly hello. Ferns and mosses carpet the ground, and the birds sing so sweetly. The air of His presence is cool and delightful. His giant love towers over us like the tree sentinels, sheltering us, leaning over us in a tender embrace. We are safe and protected, cared for and nurtured. We are enfolded in God like being enfolded in the hovering branches of the trees, gently touched by His love like the streams of sunlight gently touch us through the dappled leaves. What a happy place this is! The wind of the Spirit blowing through the trees makes a joyful melody, and the branches seem to dance and sway to the music. It's so easy to get caught up in that song of love and joy. It's so easy to be at peace here. We are in the quiet place of His presence. We are in the sanctuary of His love.
"So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. ....All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause."
Isaiah 55:12 (MSG)