My Sanctuary

December 29, 2015

Dennis Jernigan

What is a sanctuary? A sanctuary is a place of refuge or safety. Some people find refuge in self-medication. Some people find refuge in living their lives to please others. Some people find refuge in their bank account. Some in fame. Some in sexual gratification outside God’s boundaries. All such sanctuaries eventually fail. How do I know? Because, to some degree, I have tried them all in the past and each left me feeling abandoned and alone in the wreckage left in their wakes. Thanks be to God I found THE Sanctuary.

He is Jesus. He is Emmanuel. He is God WITH us. Period. As I discovered the safest place in the universe - the presence of God - and put my faith in Him, I have never been disappointed. He has been and will be with me in the very midst of each and every situation and circumstance I encounter! My relationship with Him is the very essence of that sanctuary I always longed for. Relationship is the conduit of life. As I delve deeper into that relationship with God, I am overwhelmed at the layers and facets yet to be discovered! Here is a recent case in point.

On December 15th of this year, I underwent shoulder surgery. I thoroughly enjoy Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and look forward to blessing my children and grandchildren during the holidays. This year, due to the surgery and recovery period, the celebration would be quite different…or so I thought.

A few days following my surgery, I was finally able to shower and feel more human. It took me awhile to go through the process of bathing and dressing myself with only one functioning arm, which meant I was late to the family conversation in the music/worship room that morning. As I walked into the room feeling refreshed, little did I know the most true and real refreshment was about to take place.

We had already told the children to buy us no gifts and to expect none from us (this was for a variety of reasons, but, for us, the right thing to do). As I sat down, it became apparent that my children and their spouses had begun going around the room - one by one - and speaking blessings upon and over one another. My heart and psyche were met with an overwhelming wave of love and blessing as my children each began to speak to me what my life and existence meant to them. As the wave of love washed over me and Melinda, we cried tears of gratitude. I felt safe and secure - in spite of the tremendous physical pain and lack of physical gifts.

This was an extension of God’s presence. This was my sanctuary. Lack of earthly gifts could not make a dent in this treasure. Bitter cold could not begin to affect the warmth I felt in the deepest place of my heart. Circumstances of life could not dampen the joy flooding through my soul. In this moment of experiencing true sanctuary, I felt invincible and indestructible and cared for and BLESSED!

Christmas morning came and went…but the memory and solace of the sanctuary God provides through my family endures to this day - and rings true through the corridors of eternity. Let the winds blow. Let the rains come. Let the cold surround. I’m good. I have my Sanctuary…

Dennis Jernigan

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2 NASB