1 Peter 2:5 / Slow It Down

We exist in a society that lives at a breakneck pace. ‘9 to 5’ jobs are a thing of the past. Technological innovation in the 21st century has come with an unintended consequence—a culture of ‘keep up or get left behind’. No wonder we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders to keep up—do more, be more, do it faster, more efficiently, More, more, more. 

We know something is wrong: anxiety is on the rise, and we live with a short fuse. The weight of the world is on our shoulders. And we know it shouldn’t be this way.

In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus tells the story of Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt, their wilderness wandering, and finally the construction of the tabernacle—the tent where the presence of God would reside with his people. The first half of Exodus reads like an action thriller—a hurried escape, a quick exit, and a race toward the promised land. But then things seem to grind to a halt. 

After this flurry of activity, we find the entire second half of the book dedicated to tabernacle construction—the weaving of the tent, sewing of priestly garments, and building of altars; each and every inch of the tabernacle is described in meticulous detail. And as the reader, we struggle to understand why a breakneck pace has become a snail’s pace. Why include these chapters in the Bible? Why go to such detail to describe the tabernacle?

The answer lies in the tabernacle being the place where God’s presence resides with Israel. It is the place where Israel will worship God. And God cares as much about our adoration as He does our action. He wants us to witness His incredible glory and worth, expressed through the details of the tabernacle. God isn’t simply concerned with getting His people to the promised land; He wants them to worship Him along the way. 1 Peter 2:5 puts it this way:

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

This verse shows us that God’s goal is not simply the destination, but the transformation of His people along the way. God desires the worship and magnification of His name. And where our busyness has clouded our vision, God has “tabernacled” among us through Jesus Christ (John 1:14), in order to restore worship in our lives. When misplaced priorities creep in with the breakneck pace of life, Christ’s grace is sufficient to reorient us to the Father.

As you feel the constant flurry of activity in the holiday season, remember we follow a God who cares more about our worship than anything we could accomplish apart from Him. Yes, worship includes attempting and doing great things for God, but for the people of God our actions are born from a place of worship and rest. Our destination isn’t the only goal; God has more in mind for us than just our results, productivity, or competitive edge. He desires a people conformed to His image and made for His possession, proclaiming the excellencies of the One worthy of all our worship. In the busyness of the holiday season, when we feel the weight of all that is still undone, take comfort that God is always working. And His work will lead us to worship.

Blessings,
 
Pastor Kevin G
 
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