Better is One Day in Your Courts

                                                    "Better is one day in Your courts
                                                      Better is one day in Your house
                                                      Better is one day in Your courts
                                                      Than thousands elsewhere"
                                                                                        (lyrics Matt Redman)

Another inspiring song based in part on

'Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

Psalm 84:10  NIV

Which took my mind in several directions but I want to think a little about the house of the Lord and our perceptions of it. I know many have pondered the idea that the church (the building) is not the more global definition of the term "church". Where do you find God? Where would "your courts" be.? Traditionally, I'm sure the courtyards of the temple but I'm not very good at sticking with "traditional" these days.

I would suggest that the "courtyards" are broader in definition. "Better is one day in your courts" Better is one day in the presence of God than thousands elsewhere. No brainer, right? But how do you "define" in the presence of God?

 

Beautiful, isn't it. However beauty is not a good definition of God's presence. He may very well be here in this lovely church and the history of this traditional church setting certainly causes one to catch their breath at the beauty of the spiritual setting.

 

But how about here....

 

 

Or here.......

 

 

Or here.....

 

 

Or even for that matter....here.....

 

 

And I would further hypothesize that God's presence is also in horrific and quite ugly places not just in the beauty of nature or church gatherings. I won't bother you with horrific pictures of storms, earthquakes and a multitude of other disasters and "ugly images"

 

'Better is one day in Your courts" pertains to those places just as much if not more so than the places or moments of beauty. In fact "to find You in the place Your glory dwells' could refer to being present in the most horrific places, as well as seeing the beauty of God in rainbows, majestic mountains and other lovely sights. God's glory dwells everywhere not just those places we are "comfortable" seeing it. In fact, God's glory is most likely needed more so in those horrific times, those times of grief, those times of being lost.

 

I will remind myself of this. "Better is one day in Your courts" isn't covered just by attending church on Sunday. I need to seek and find the glory of God (be in His courts) at all those other times too. Comforting a sick friend, helping the hungry, taking the time to listen even when I'm busy, being patient even when I'd rather not, finding the right words to say, finding the right direction to head, and finding the right thoughts to share here on this blog. All of those fit...."one day in Your courts" and "find You in the place Your glory dwells."

 

I feel I rambled a bit today, forgive me, soul musings are often messy, and complicated and incomplete....they take time to formulate and resonant.

 

Maybe you will take some time to reflect on "Your courts" and "the place Your glory dwells.'  Please leave a comment if you'd like to share your thoughts. As you can tell I am transformed by the stories I hear, the ideas people share, the songs people sing...anything can be a gem for soul musings.  

 

 Hugs and may you know that your stories are the breath of life and meaningful.