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Pitching Your Tent
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Rev. Megan Koch uses the image of taking a tent off of our backpack and popping it up in the middle of our day to have a little time with Jesus. The power of the image is that you have this tent with you wherever you go, and you are ready to meet with Jesus at a moment’s notice. As she says, “The most effective discipleship tools are things you can do anywhere you are in life.”
If you’re looking for good discipleship tools, make sure that you find tools that acknowledge that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are actively in the room with you.”
- Megan Koch
This image is especially relevant because God met Israel in the wilderness in a Tent. As they wandered for forty years in the desert, the Tent of Meeting went with them (e.g., Exod. 33:7). Moses would go into the Tent and meet with God (Exod. 33:8-11). Then he would bring God’s word back to the people.
Since Jesus has atoned for our sins and risen from the dead, we no longer need a human priest to intercede with God for us. We are a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:5) with Jesus alone as our high priest (Heb. 10:19-22). We do not have to go to the temple to meet God. God does not only meet us at church. The tent of the Holy Spirit is with us everywhere we go (Ps. 139:7-12).
Rev. Koch especially mentions three things you might do when you pop up your tent in the middle of life. “You eat; you talk; you rest.”
Eat
The primary source of eating is Scripture. As we will explore further in the next Lesson, if you have a smartphone, you can have the Bible with you anywhere you go. If you haven’t already, YouVersion is ready and easily downloaded so that you can search and read Scripture anywhere you go. Are you reading through the Bible on a regular plan? The passage set for today is ready and waiting. Is there a word or theme God has brought to mind? The “Discover” tool is ready and waiting.
Talk
Prayer is talking with God. God never goes on vacation. The Spirit never takes a break. Wherever you are, God is ready to talk. But remember, a conversation involves more than one person. Don’t let your prayer simply become a monologue with Jesus listening. Stop and let him respond. What is Jesus telling you today, in this moment?
Rest
God’s work can be instantaneous, but God more often takes his time. God has been here for all eternity. He doesn’t have to finish everything today. If you have the time, rest with what you have eaten and heard. Give the nourishment of Scripture a chance to digest. Take a nap on it. Ride in the car with it. Next time you pitch your tent again, revisit it with the Lord.