Jesus is Our Refuge

When our boys were young, they would gather blankets, pillows, and cushions in the basement and build elaborate forts. This was their most-played game, a weekly if not daily affair. Once constructed and made secure, blankets tucked into sofas, cushions piled up as barriers, they would take refuge inside. Sometimes to read by flashight or share candy treasures, other times for imaginary games. But mostly just to tuck in and “be,” to enjoy the experience itself.

You probably built forts as a child. A refrigerator box was an absolute gold mine of a discovery, for with a few windows cut out and some duct tape on the doors it was an instant fortress.

The building of forts is a universal childhood practice that researchers have become intrigued by. Carol Stock Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync-Child, explains, “Forts help children reset their stressed bodies and brains. The darkness inside a fort eliminates the stimulus they do not need and intensifies what they do need ... physical comfort and solitude ... safety and control. We seek out comfort. We need to restore order.”

Simply put, it’s a way of making their world smaller for a while.

And children are mystics by nature. They don’t need to understand global weather patterns to find the evening snowfall utterly enchanting. They don’t need to know the brain science behind their parents’ love for them; they simply feel safe being loved. And yes— those forts aren’t actually fortresses; they collapse rather easily. But the little mystic within experiences a level of comfort and assurance that I think most adults are famished for.

Everyone needs a place to feel safe.

Everyone needs somewhere to go to tuck in, where the world can feel small again or at least shut out for the time being.    
                                   
It might be good to pause and reflect: What is your current safe place in the world? Where do you go for refuge—not only physically but emotionally, psychologically, spiritually?   
             
We can be situated securely in Jesus Christ and in God our Father, not merely as a symbol or metaphor but in actuality. As the French mystic Jeanne Guyon assures us,    
                    

I have found it easy to obtain the presence of God. He desires to be more present to us than we desire to seek Him. He desires to give Himself to us far more readily than we desire to receive Him. ... This is easier and more natural than breathing.

                                       
Easier than breathing—wouldn’t that be lovely? This experience of God’s presence and refuge is entirely available to you. Friends, we live in times just as dangerous as those of our ancient forebears. Let us not be lulled into a false security by the material comforts around us. We must, we must learn the practice of Jesus as our refuge. And here is where it will prove helpful to allow yourself to become a mystic. If you can suspend your disappointment, skepticism, and fear for even a moment and allow your heart to turn toward Jesus, run toward him, you can experience refuge in him.
                        

Jesus—I need refuge. Bring me into your refuge, Lord. Be my shield and strong tower. Be my safe place. I turn to you; I run to you. Be my refuge, Lord. Surround me with your presence and keep me.
Holy Spirit, awaken my capacity to know and experience God. Awaken my ability to see and hear in the Kingdom of God. Make me an ordinary mystic. 

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