♣ The Vital Element
THERE’S A RENOWNED restaurant in the UK that has thrived since the middle of the 1960’s. People, to include celebrities, from all over Britain are known to dine there. There is nothing visually appealing by the façade of the building or the deco and furnishings within. It pretty much resembles a pause in time from when it first commenced business. Basic to bordering on the bland side in appearance would be the word to describe this thriving eating place, while far from being unclean and unhygienic to say the least, having consistently gained high sanitary awards.
The very ingredient that attracts so many people – and none having refused to return – to this oddity is the exquisite food it serves and with the extremely high standard of service given to its customers. Once the food is served, the plain surroundings are forgotten; one is just purely amazed at the unmatched quality of food and the atmosphere produced by enthusiastic waiters and the customer’s pure enjoyment.
It is marked by what a restaurant should be known for which reminds me of what a church is to be about. It ought never to be the façade or décor of the building as much as people may find inspiration in those very aspects. That is where it becomes religious instead of being in touch with the Living God. God is not in the stones or the aesthetic arrangement of its stained glass or ambient lighting. God is Who He is, incomprehensible, immortal and invisible but nevertheless makes Himself known to a people who are hungry for Him and the reality of His presence in their midst. Such a building that holds a gathering people maybe the dullest meeting place there is, but even a prison cell with walls that would depress the natural senses can be become a place where God makes all the liberating difference. It is God’s presence in the midst of His people that constitutes the Church and to come away after a meeting has drawn to a close with the vivid impression of God being so very near is the true spiritual beauty we should all seek after. It is the vital element that keeps the Church alive and as A.W. Tozer said, “God’s presence is the only reason for its existence.”
Posted on October 30, 2014, in Devotionals and tagged A.W. Tozer, aesthetic, devotional, facade, God being near, God's presence, hungry for God, living God, Mark Anthony Williams, Religious, restaurants, spiritual beauty, The Vital Element. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Shade of the Moriah Tree
Shade of the Moriah Tree 
Extraordinary and encouraging truth… Thank you!
BTW I really enjoy and appreciate both your writing and your artwork. Thank you for so consistently directing my attention toward the Lord and away from this ever more fallen world.
Thank you, James – great to have your feedback. The most encouraging aspect is that these posts cause you to look more to the Lord. It’s Him; all our proclamation should lead to Him. Everyday, I look at the news and from a secular perspective it is heavily discouraging, but God, BUT GOD – there’s our hope, our solid Rock Who keeps us in the midst of evil to be lights around and to those who are despairing. All that is taking place is transitory; the eternal will soon eclipse the present.
Reblogged this on We Are 'N'.
When we as Christians, talk about fruit, many make the mistake of judging someone because they do not “look” Christian. Now there’s a difference between someone who doesn’t look like a Christian, and someone who doesn’t dress like a Christian.
i can go out to the store in camo clothes and gum boots, because of what I do on a daily basis, and still be pleasing to Christ, because my heart is still trying to serve Him with every step I take. But then there’s women out there who dress in clothes that look painted on, and expose just enough to still be considered covered, and they prove their unregenerate heart through their appearance.
Like this restaurant, it may be drab on the outside, but it is clean on the inside.
Good example.