"As the fir-tree lifts up itself with a far different need from the need of the palm-tree, so does each man stand before God, and lift up a different humanity to the common Father. And for each, God has a different response. ... In every man there is a loneliness, an inner chamber of peculiar life into which God only can enter. …

From this it follows that there is a chamber also – (O God, humble and accept my speech) – a chamber in God himself, into which none can enter but the one, the individual, the peculiar man, out of which chamber that man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made - to reveal the secret things of the Father. 

By his creation, then, each man is isolated with God; each, in respect of his peculiar making, can say, "my God;" each can come to him alone, and speak with him face to face, as a man speaketh with his friend."

George MacDonald (1867) 

I’m not sure why this quote strikes a chord, a chorus, an orchestra within my own soul. Maybe it is because I desire this individuality within community. Perhaps I desire this secret chamber within my God to drink from his wisdom and share his knowledge in my communal life; my communal living.

If I may be so bold, I believe this is what my culture desires – to be known as an individual who offers value to our community.

When I take a moment to enjoy nature in my hammock, I live this secret chamber life with my God. This individual communal life.

My pine trees hold my hammock. The wind gently sways me as I drift into a summer nap. The juniper trees smell refreshing in that summer breeze. My ducks squawk and waddle to the pool. Our new baby chicks play on the tire swing in their coop chirping their delight. Wild birds fly over head or rest in my dead trees. Majestically surveying the land. And my chicks. My youngest rides his motorcycle around his track disturbing the mountain quiet and yet adding to the orchestra that is my life.

Everything has a place and purpose in this orchestra. In these rare contemplative moments, I clearly see the wonder of communal individuality. The wonder of that secret chamber – that place where in God I find the solace of his knowledge and my own unique purpose to share and strengthen my community.

“… lift up a different humanity to the common Father.”

Every body and object in space is composed of molecules. Every molecule is composed of atoms. Every atom is composed of three elemental particles – the electron, proton, and neutron. But there are other sub-atomic particles that interact (or not) with objects. High energy particles bombard every area in our space and change the landscape in that sub-atomic realm.

And we only know a touch of what these interactions and relationships become. If on a level we can only imagine, life is so different and unique. How can we even imagine that one person is like another? Each soul offers a different personality, a different talent, a different tone and colour, a different thought process, a different life. Different humanity to the One who created this complex, diverse, wonder of a symphony for his glory. And our enjoyment.

“And for each, God has a different response.”

I have four wonderful children; five now that one brave soul married into this family. Each looks different from their siblings. Each thinks different from their siblings. Each lives different from their siblings.

And we respond differently with each to celebrate their unique contribution to our common family. I must admit, I savour their differences. I wonder at them sometimes. I love the beauty each posses. For instance, in four babies, three have blue eyes unique to their look and one green pair contrasting his red hair. I love that even in their skin tone, they vary in shades and freckles. I love that each has a hair colour all their own and different from their parents.

I love that they each share unique gifts with everyone else.

• the love of people others discard and the joy of connection
• the love of how electrons work through keyboard and screen
• the love of music to express life’s crazy and to share with strangers and friends
• the love of history and peoples interacting through times past
• the love of things that go on two wheels and the thrill of making that jump

“… an inner chamber of a peculiar life into which God only can enter.”

I’ve often heard of a God shaped chamber in each person, a chamber which only God can fill. This is why we have these Great Conversations of

• Why are we here?
• Where did life come from?
• Why is there such evil in this world?

Philosophers, theologians, teenagers, drunks and dying men all ask these questions. And seek all their broken lives to find holy answers. We have a God shaped chamber that no person, no idea, no passion can fill.

Though, I tried to fill it with other things, it remained empty. Till God.

Only the Creator of a universe composed of sub-atomic particles can fill the eternity within my soul.

“… a chamber in God himself, into which none can enter but the one, the individual, the peculiar man…”

This line I read several times. God has a me shaped chamber in him. This thought scared me.

What sacrilege! What pompous arrogance! What a humbling reality!

Perhaps this explains the whole Jesus dying on a cross and walking out of his grave. God is holy. And I am not. And yet this Holy has a me shaped chamber and did whatever necessary to make sure I could enter into this sacred space for all time, that is all mine.

Crazy, isn’t it, that this Creator of microscopic and macroscopic holds a precious place for this peculiar person.

“… out of which chamber that man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren.”

Community. A people united for a purpose. Fellowship. Sharing. Living life together.

We have a boat. An old 1960 – something, nursing home blue and white, outboard motor boat. Last year, due to closing of fun and outdoor activities, our boat sat still. But in years past, we would gather life jackets, food, water, sunscreen, and boat to fly the water waves on our desert lakes. I cherish such dear memories of our family playing in the water, jumping off rocks, relaxing to the sounds of summer.

Only, sometimes the boat didn’t work: it was an old motor. And our little community sat still on a lake with an upset daddy, a frustrated mommy, and a few tired children. Yet, there we were, in the same boat in the middle of a lake. Slowly rolling with the waves. Watching other boats fly passed. Feeling the breeze and sun in unequal measure of refreshment and burning.

We each walked away with our own experience though all in the same boat. We each offered a unique perspective to keep others grounded when things broke down. A sleeping baby to remind us of peace. An inquisitive child to remind us of hope. A calm daddy to remind us we won’t be on the lake, broken, forever.

We live communally. We live individually. God interacts with each individual uniquely. When we leave the chamber of God, we can share our knowledge of the holy with the profane. And our community grows in Grace. Our community grows in HESED.

Is this not the strength we share with others?

• The strength to show mercy.
• The strength to give Grace.
• The strength to know forgiveness.
• The strength to humbly love.
• The strength to be kind.

“This is that for which he was made – to reveal the secret things of the Father.”

This impressed me most. We all have a secret to share. This God who created matter and energy shares with each one of us a particular knowledge of the unknown. Of Him. Whatever your secret is, know that it is yours to savour and yours to share.  

My daughter watches over and works with autistic children. This is difficult work. And yet, she handles these children with strength and grace. And loves her job. She shares the heart of the Creator of patience and love. And these children share the heart of the Creator of wonder. My daughter impresses me with her sharing of these secret things only the Holy can reveal.

“… each man is isolated with God; each, in respect of his peculiar making, can say, “my God;” each can come to him alone, and speak with him face to face…”

So, we have our own secret chamber within our soul for God. And He. He has a secret chamber within himself for each of us. We share secrets with the One who holds the wisdom of the ages. He shares secrets with those redeemed by the blood of Christ, the risen Lord. And these secrets are shared with a broken world.

Every soul has a unique gift to share in this human community.

Live individually communal.

Live sharing the secrets God shares with you.

Live humbly in his secret chamber.  

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and waves have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42: 7 & 8