Church Bells: Reminders of Holiness~2

We all need to be reminded of holy things because "the world is too much with us." One of the reminders in England is the ringing of church bells. From all accounts, England is no longer a spiritual country, choosing rather to take God for granted with their stiff-upper-lip attitude. This has been true for many years now, and it's showing in their choices.

So even though there are at least 160,000 church towers with bells ringing out a reminder of holy things in their villages, it's what is in their hearts that matters. In this 4th chapter of  F. LaGard Smith's Meeting God in Quiet Places, he has told us that there are tiny golden bells on the bottom of the priest's robe to announce his coming before the Lord, so that he would not die.
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A thousand years later, when Zechariah prophecied about the day the Savior of the world would revolutionize the nature of worship before God. Zechariah says:

"On that day, 'Holy to the Lord' will be inscribed on the bells of horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar." What a dramatic change from tiny golden bells on a robe to bells on horses! What a shift in attitude with the enormous "holiness gap?"

We don't understand all the underlying meanings, but the message for us is clear. If you have ever felt that you aren't worthy of being loved by God, or felt at such a distance from Him that He doesn't even care that you exist, or that your guilt is too great for Him to cover, then read on.

LaGard says: "The good news is that, with the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, we are no longer kept at arm's length from God." Christ has himself completed the work of the high priest, bringing our guilt and unworthiness before God. He offered himself as the sacrifice, and while we are unworthy, He is worth for us. Where we are unholy, He is the holy Lamb of God. This means that Jesus has given you and me unlimited access to God. You can reach out and touch God. AND...because of the cross... God has reached out and touched you!" These are amazing and comforting words.

The moment of Jesus' death, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." This "curtain of separation" is no longer between you and God. Through Jesus, you can now approach the throne of heaven--an act that could not have happened when Aaron was high priest. Think about that!

LaGard goes on to say: "Jesus is our announcement, like the bells announced the priest. In one single hour of history, His crucifixion became the greatest moment of mourning, celebration and peace ever witnessed by humankind. Jesus' death was the loudest anthem of bell-ringing the world has ever heard!"

Yes, the bells are a reminder that YOU can approach God joyfully, and find help when you need it. Or the bells may remind you to love Him and praise Him in your life. God longs for a relationship with you, and you surely yearn for a relationship with Him. The bells peal out the sound of joy, which is felt in the hearts of many around the world.

Decide today that you will meditate more seriously on holy matters. So many of us are caught up in the poor quality of spiritual life that is dominant in our society. Only you can change your attitude toward a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.

Have a good weekend! Remember to thank God always.

Blessings...Mimi