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.”