Inside the "Jesus Tent"

In Exodus chapter 33, we can read about Moses and how he met with God:
7 Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.
8 So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle.
9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

Because we belong to God, because our lives have been bought by the blood of Jesus, we can experience the presence of God.  And, I do believe we grow closer to Him as we set aside special time to worship Him, to call on Him, to commune with Him.  As we "meet" with the Lord, we can experience calm in the chaos.  We can know that He is with us and recognize His love and enter into His peace and rest.  I believe that special, uninterrupted time set aside to meet with God is a critical component of our Christian life.

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Imagine, if you will, a place where we can go and experience peace and rest, a place where we can know the presence of God. Psalm 46 gives a great description for us:
(1b) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

If you have made the drive from Atlanta to Nashville, you are no doubt familiar with Monteagle Mountain - that area boasts some notable sites, including the University of the South in Sewanee, as well as the place where a music festival called Bonnaroo is held yearly, near Manchester, Tennessee.

An estimated 80,000 people showed up this year to hear the likes of Billy Joel, Earth Wind, and Fire, and former Led Zeppelin lead vocalist Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters - some 150 acts total.

Baptist Press has a report on the festivities and one particular area of the farm on which the event occurs:

An estimated 13,000-17,000 Bonnaroovians visited The Jesus Tent for its 24/7 offer of shade cooled by fans, snacks, water, smartphone charging stations, WiFi and conversation...

The Jesus Tent has become the largest evangelistic event of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and possibly of other denominations in the state, said David Evans, the convention's evangelism specialist.

Jake Dorak, who is an associate pastor at nearby First Baptist Church in Manchester, directed the outreach, and said: "The nations are coming to us, and we have an obligation to tell them about Jesus..."  A total of 150 volunteers took part in the effort.  There were a number of students from a seminary who helped out on the overnight shifts in order for the tent to stay open around the clock.

The report states that, "While at The Jesus Tent, many visitors had life-changing conversations, several Baptist volunteers reported. Though many Bonnaroovians held the belief that all paths or religions lead to God, there was openness to talk about it."

The Tent was described as a "peaceful oasis" in the article, and that conjures up some powerful images.  One volunteer said that she is glad young people can come to The Jesus Tent if they need a "safe spot."   

Isn't it great that the Lord invites us to come to Him and experience his peace?  In the Lord, we can find calm and clarity in the midst of a chaotic culture.   Calm in the chaos - He can become our oasis, where we can connect with His life and truth and come to know Him and fellowship with Him.

In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle, or the Tent of Meeting, was where the presence of God dwelt. In this Jesus Tent at Bonnaroo, attendees were able to find people who were willing to talk with them about spiritual matters and see the love of Christ in action.  We remember that God's invitation to receive Christ and walk with Him is open to all.  We can be vessels through which those who are searching can find answer.

Finally, I like what the volunteer said about providing a "safe spot."  The world can be a dangerous place, and people are in need of a refuge.  God is our refuge and strength, the Bible says.  His name is a strong tower in which we can run and experience safety.   When we are troubled and beset by trials, God wants us to run to Him and be held by His everlasting arms.  He doesn't want us to face the difficulties of life alone - He is with us and He wants to walk with us through the challenges of life.