A Happy Place Like No Other
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” -Psalm 122:1
Do you have a “happy place?” Having returned from vacation not too long ago, I’m already missing my happy place. My family and friends have been vacationing in a small beach town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for years. Thinking of being there always brings a smile to my face. Many people refer to a favorite spot, such as a particular city, restaurant, or even a specific area in their home, like the deck, as their “happy place.” A former colleague of mine would refer to her cabin in the Adirondacks as her happy place, and another would talk about her home garden the same way.
Have you ever noticed how many people treat church like a “happy place?” I have to confess that as a kid, I had to be taken to church. That’s probably a kind word for it. Even now, when you talk to some friends and neighbors, they treat the thought of going to a church event or service like they might be headed for a root canal or tax audit. Sadly, some people in worship services every week talk about church in the same way.
Happy places bring us such joy because of the beauty of the setting, the experiences we have there, and sharing the space with loved ones. I hope people experience their time in our community of faith in a similar way. While our houses of worship are beautiful spaces, we’ve always said that the church is not a building, it’s the people. Some of the most meaningful moments in people’s lives are shared in churches with people who matter to us: baptisms, marriages, and even funerals are deeply meaningful expressions of love. Beyond those moments, how many lasting memories have we built and shared through experiences in youth group, Bible study, potlucks, coffee hours, or other gatherings?
Most importantly, when we gather as the people of Jesus, whether in our shared sacred space or elsewhere, it is God who makes our time uniquely blessed. The Holy Spirit moving in, through, and around us creates moments and connections that the world can never match. In Psalm 122, David expresses joy at being in Jerusalem. He celebrates the city and prays for its peace and prosperity. I hope that as people of faith, we regularly pray for the peace and well-being of the places that hold special significance for us. Not only the physical spaces, but also the people who live and work there. I also hope that our church is near the top of the list when you think of the happy places in your life. Again, not just the physical place, but who it represents and what it means.
We are blessed with an incredible church family here at Pendleton Center. I’m sure we all know someone who hasn’t experienced the joy of knowing Jesus. Perhaps there are others in our lives who stopped associating with churches because they were confused, bored, or worse yet, harmed by one. Let them see in you that our God, our God’s people, and our God’s places are about love and peace. Bear witness to a God who is a source of joy and a church that is a “happy place.” Being a happy place isn’t about a fake smile and pretending everything is fine. Our church is a “happy place” because people discover that they are loved and welcomed as they are: whether they are flourishing, laughing, and thriving, or seeking, hurting, or struggling. Church is a “happy place” because people find others who encourage and help them in their challenges and celebrate with them in their victories. The church is a happy place because we experience deeply moving, life-changing moments with God through serving our brothers and sisters. Church is a happy place because we experience God in community together in ways we cannot by ourselves, and God blesses us beyond measure through one another.
Let’s model for the world what David says, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Pastor Scott
