“He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common.” (Ezekiel 42:20)

The last clause caught my attention. “To make a separation between the holy and the common.” In the midst of lots of measurements of many rooms and walls, we see that God is interested in separating the sacred from the secular.

I think this stands out to me because I have seen in my short life a deemphasis on acknowledging any distinction between the secular and the sacred. I suspect some of the changes were well-intended efforts to move away from legalism. However, to arrive at a place where nothing is sacred (set apart) is an over-correction. Now we are in the other ditch.

As Christians, we are supposed to be different. We are called to be in the world, not of it. My true citizenship is in heaven. But so often I live like my greatest allegiance is to this world. I try so hard to fit in that I lose my unique flavor as a Christian.

This morning, I will sit and listen to my pastor preach. Will my heart anticipate that as a word from God – a sacred moment – or will it be no different than listening to the news? One is a report about religious things, the other a report about what’s going on in town. A better approach would be to listen to the sermon as a word from God, shaping my heart so that I know how to listen to and respond appropriately to the news.

Father, please help me understand a proper distinction between secular and sacred. Amen.