Houses of Wood and Stone

My wife and I went to a Christmas play, which was held at a local Christian Church. While the performance was decent, even impressive, considering the extent of costumes, props, and cast, I felt a deep sense of anxiety for the 'Church', the Body. This disquiet was the result of the architecture; the materials chosen, colors, layout, elevations and roof lines, etc, of the newly built structure. It hit me that some of the most elaborate construction in the country consists of government buildings and banks. What we believe to be important, whatever is precious to us, we put in fine enclosures and we protect it well. The predominant Statist mindset of out culture is reinforced by the architecture which houses it. And money is so preeminent to us that it can only reside in protective houses of fine stature. Both of these are centrally located and easily accessible, conspicuous monuments; but God, the Creator of all things and the Savior of the world, on the other hand, can be shut up in a warehouse on the outskirts of town. I understand that there is an element of expediency controlled by budget, but that only further fueled the sorrow in my heart for the House of the Lord. King David, during a period of God’s blessing, was not at ease so long as men dwelt in houses of wood and stone, while the Lord was put in a tent. This whole scene cut me deeply, because of the condition of the people of our God.