Grand Opening

The new arena that I have written about a number of times in the past is now complete. (To access these earlier posts, type the word arena in the search box on your left at the top of this screen.) The public open house was a week ago, and the first event was this past weekend. There are always a few dissenters, but for the most part, people were pleased. They were impressed with the size and attractiveness of the building and how smoothly much of the apprehension about parking was worked out.

During the building, I have compared the local process with the construction of the Tabernacle where the children of Israel worshipped during their wilderness journey. There was a "grand opening" for the Tabernacle too, far surpassing any celebration we might plan when opening a building for use. "So at last Moses finished the work. Then the cloud [which had served to guide and protect them] covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys." (Exodus 40:33-38)

Our new arena will serve the community well for many years, I'm sure. But the place of worship filled with God's presence, thousands of years ago or in the present, is beyond compare!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://sxc.hu/