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Creating Sacred Space

The shift we’re invited to make is to create sacred space in our weeks.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. GENESIS 1:1-5, 1:31 NIV

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. GENESIS 2:1-3 NIV

In a similar way that God brings order out of chaos in His creation, we bring order out of chaos in our calendars.

What is sacred space?

Sacred space is a period of time woven into the fabric of creation to rest, worship, and delight

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. GENESIS 2:1-2 NIV

Why do we need it?

Sacred space replenishes us from the burnout of life

Then God blessed the seventh day… GENESIS 2:3a NIV

To bless the day is to make the day a life-giving day.

It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. EXODUS 31:17 NIV

How do we experience it?

We prioritize sacred space in our calendar

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. LUKE 4:16 NIV

Though Jesus criticized the synagogue, it never kept him from going to it.

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. ROMANS 14:5 ESV

We share sacred space with others by serving them

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. COLOSSIANS 3:15-16 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. HEBREWS 10:24-25 NIV

We receive it as a gift from Jesus

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few breaths to slow down. As you exhale, imagine releasing the burdens of the day; then, as you inhale, imagine God’s peace and presence filling you. Think back to a time when you felt the tangible benefits of a sacred space. Perhaps it was on vacation, or maybe it was during a rich time with God. What attributes stand out to you as you remember this moment? How did that moment make you feel? What were some of the tangible benefits of that experience? Take a minute to thank God for that time and that experience. As you reflect on what made that experience so great, what small steps can you take on a more regular basis to make space for similar experiences? What obstacles stand in the way of you experiencing this fullness in your current pace of life? Ask God to reveal ways in which you can experience his peace and presence in your current weekly rhythms. Perhaps it’s adding some “blank space” in your schedule; perhaps it’s eliminating some things from your calendar. Write these down in the space below, sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. Personal Reflection: Begin group time engaging with the Personal Reflection Guide. As you explore your own journey with sacred spaces, journal any reflections in the space below, sharing with the group what God brought up, if you feel comfortable.
  2. Real with Self: If your body had a battery indicator, like our phones do, to what extent are you depleted, at or near burnout in your life? How does this affect your relationship with God and others?
  3. Real with Self: God created the heavens, earth and all of creation out of purpose—bringing order out of chaos. To what extent are you creating and “doing” from a place of chaos, rather than purpose?
  4. Real with God: Read the description of “sacred space” (from the sermon notes) aloud. Let it just sort of hang with your group in a period of quiet. When you ponder the idea of sacred space, what does that stir in you?
  5. Real with Others: In what ways does serving others create and/or share sacred space with them? How have you experienced this happening in your life?
  6. Take Action: What would it look like for you to embrace a Holy Shift in order to grow in creating sacred space for the purpose of rest, worship and delight? What practical steps can you take this week to start doing this?