The Little White Church

 By: Joanne Viola

A year ago, we began driving regularly through a neighborhood which was new to us. On a corner stood a small church in the middle of this residential community, and each time I was stopped at the red light, the sight of the church would occupy my thoughts.

Recently, I sat parked across the street and facing the church, to ponder what it was I needed to see.
It’s a small church – simple in its construction – yet beautiful in its simplicity.

Getting out of the car, I snapped a few photos without exactly knowing why.

In the days following, I pulled up the photos on my phone, and my thoughts began to come together.

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” (James 4:8, NLT)

We cannot be divided. ‘Loyalty’ means being faithful and committed. We must uproot whatever is distracting us from focusing on God. The New American Commentary states, “Attacking that which pollutes the heart will remove that which divides the mind”.

James tells us that we are to repent so that we are able to draw close to God. The imagery he brings is of the Old Testament priests. It is a process of purification before our God and as we submit to the process, praise God, He comes close–and closer–to us.

The simple white church began to speak its message.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are as red as crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, NLT)

The doors of the little church are red. We all come to the foot of the Cross, our hearts stained red with our sin. We come freely, once for all, entering the doors of His sanctuary, the place where we are safe and made free.

We come freely to be made free.

The white church, suddenly became representative of God’s sanctuary. The place of forgiveness, salvation, and purification. The place where we are covered and made pure once again.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” (Revelation 19:7-8a, NLT)

We enter His covering to be covered.

Standing across the street from the church, I take my pictures with my phone, and walk back to my car. Starting my car back up, the song begins to play, and the words strike deeply:

“You are The One alone in greatness
The one who never changes
Jesus You are!
The One who rose in power
The One who reigns forever
Jesus the one true God!”
(Lyrics from the song One True God by Steven Curtis Chapman)

 “Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!”
(Psalm 61:4, NLT)

 

We come freely to be made free.
We enter His covering to be covered.
May we enter His sanctuary.

In His Love,
Joanne