Meeting with God in a Thin Place

I love the sea. Just sitting and staring at it. Observing the waves crashing against the shore or, preferably, some strategically placed rocks. My photo library will attest to this fascination – shot after shot, each one strangely similar yet slightly different and individual (meaning it’s difficult to discard any!) Growing up in Brighton may have contributed to this allure, as I spent many childhood hours sat on the beach, counting the waves for the next big one – the seventh (or so my mother claimed), but I’m not sure it’s now my favourite wave watching location. I find the rugged coastlines of Northumberland, Norfolk or Cornwall more evocative. It’s here that I have a real sense of the majesty of God and his awesome power and recognise how small and insignificant I am in comparison. And as I look on the turbulent waters, I am always reminded of Psalm 46, where the waters “roar and foam” but “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” – this awesome power harnessed and protective. And then the enormity of this hits me. This creator God is my refuge and my strength. For some reason, I am important to God.

Celtic saints referred to specific sites as ‘thin places’. These were locations where there is no barrier between heaven and earth, where the sacred touches the mundane, making it easier to connect with God. For the Celts, these were generally wild spaces – like Lindisfarne and Iona. These places are often where Christians in previous centuries worshipped and prayed, creating a portal like at Bethel, where angels ascend and descend between heaven and earth. I think coastline spots are ‘thin places’ for me, but for others it'll be rolling hills or lofty mountain, a quiet glade in a forest or a rippling brook, a cathedral or tiny chapel. Anywhere where we feel especially close to heaven and experience the presence of God in a special way. Perhaps it’s in these places where we can, as Psalm 46 goes on to say, “Be still, and know that I am God”.

I don’t know what stormy waters or troubles you might be navigating right now. But I do know that finding a ‘thin place’, a refuge where you can sense keenly the reality of God’s presence may help you to recognise His ever-present help that allows you to draw on His strength and know that whatever is going on, He is God.

Deborah Packham