Holy, holy, holy
When I walk into the Study Center to start my Monday morning shift, the first thing I do is make a pot of coffee. Now, if you haven’t met me before, you should know that I have a problem. I drink WAY too much coffee. I’m the kinda guy that’s still pouring at 8 PM. It’s bad. Your body is 60% water, mine is 60% coffee. During finals week, it’s more like 70%. Guess I know what I’m giving up for Lent next year…
Regardless, because I love coffee so much, in order to avoid getting distracted on the job, I abstain from drinking it during my shift. But, once I put my nametag back in the drawer, the next 15 minutes are coffee time. Nothing else is permitted to happen during this time. If you ask me a question, I’ll let you know that I’m on hold until 10. This time is holy to coffee.
Until recently, I was missing the full picture of what it really means to be holy, and how I can apply the concept of holiness in my life. In the Bible, the Hebrew word commonly translated as ‘holy’ is Qodesh, which means something like ‘separate’ or ‘set apart.’ Things that are Qodesh are set apart from that which is common and ordinary.
Looking at the Scriptures, we find that God is all-holy, and anything associated with Him is holy. For example, in Exodus 20:8, God commands Israel to keep the Sabbath holy; meaning, to devote that day to the things about God. The work of the week was not for the Sabbath, that was common. Things that are holy are different. They stand out from the crowd. It’s not that being common is necessarily bad, but things that are holy are special because of their rarity, and their unique place in creation.
Throughout my week at the Study Center, I see many forms of holiness. Just one example is some folks who gather Tuesday nights for Bible study. Every week, Tuesdays at the same time, they make that time holy to their Bible study. It’s not a time for common distractions. Phones turn off. Worries are left behind. These things are replaced with joy, connection, presence, laughter, learning. All gifts from God.
Even the location of the Study Center reflects holiness. Although we are located very close to Main Campus, you still need to cross bustling Hillsborough street to get here. When I make that crossing, I envision crossing from the common into the holy. I leave the stress of school behind. I enter into an environment that has been set apart, a haven for gospel hospitality, cultivating deep relationships, and transformative learning.
This is why I love working at the Study Center. This organization cultivates holiness, and each day I grow more and more grateful to participate in it.
I will leave you with this Scripture, a word from the prophet Zechariah:
“And on that day, there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the LORD of hosts on that day.”
Come, Lord Jesus.
