On Monday 13th May, we moved into our new LEVNT ‘home’. There was still a lot to be finished to make it fully ready to welcome you but we marked this special event and time of transition with a blessing. Moving through the space, we read scripture and prayed that these spaces for work, welcome and community might be blessed.
Blessing isn’t magic, it’s simply speaking God’s Word into a space, over an object or a person. In so doing, we set aside that person or thing for God’s purposes. We receive it as a gift from God and it has now though been dedicated to God’s use. That’s what it means for something to be holy, sanctified.
Something holy isn’t necessarily, obviously different. That’s why the writers of the New Testament letters can address their congregations as ‘holy’ or ‘saints’. They certainly weren’t always examples of moral or spiritual perfection, but in their baptism, they (and we) had been set apart for God, for his service. So our holiness is something that is given to us, bestowed on us by the Word and Spirit.
When I say Grace before a meal, it doesn’t make it taste better or remove the burnt bits! It also doesn’t replace all the work of shopping and food preparation. But that simple prayer acknowledges God as the ultimate Giver. The one on whom I can rely for not only my dinner, but for all good things. So why not bless your home, your classroom, your car? Why not give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his love endures forever!
Pr David Spike
Learning Leader: Formation
