Among the many privileges and blessings I have in my work as a preacher, my office is near the top of the list. I’m aware that many preachers, all over the world, do their work—and do it well—without ever having a private, secluded, quiet little place in which to study, think, pray, and write. They are finer preachers than I am, because I could not be a quarter as effective if I didn’t have my office. I’m so thankful to have a place where I can think, a place where I can read, a place where I can focus on the task(s) at hand.
I’m a creature of routine and I’m not much in favor of random changes or sudden upheavals to the norms, so I regard my quiet little study as a private little sanctuary. I think it’s the kind of place Jesus had in mind when He was talking about prayer…
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(Matthew 6:6)
A “closet” is not a closet, per se. It’s not the place where you hang your clothes or store your shoes. The kind of “closet” Jesus was referring to was a private little place that was secluded, a place where you could go where it could be just you and God, conversing about problems and solutions. For me, that’s my office. I like it just the way it is: neat and tidy, quiet and private. Obviously, my office is always open to anyone who needs to come by and talk, but I’m thinking more in terms of our relationship with God. My office is where I do most of my talking to the Father. What is that place for you? Where is your private little sanctuary? And if you don’t have one, think about where it could be, and make it that place today!
~Matthew