The 172nd Antioch Campmeeting

As I understand it, back in the day when we were an agricultural society, about the only time folk had for a vacation were a couple weeks toward the end of summer during a period called "laying by." not being an ag type, my limited understanding is during this period there's not really anything to do with the crops except exercise some patience and wait for them to mature so they can be harvested.

People would capitalize on this time and load up the wood-burning stove on the wagon and tie up the milk cow to the same wagon and head out to a clearing with water nearby and chill out. Friends and relatives would join them and it would be a grand old time. When a particular spot that especially tickled their fancy was happened upon, they'd return to the spot year after year. While there they would build crude little structures to make life a little simpler while away from home.

You know how it goes, when people gather, eventually a preacher shows up. Over the years folks would build a "brush arbor", made from tree branches. The arbor would serve as a sanctuary, a tabernacle in the wilderness if you will, a place set-apart, consecrated for coming into God's Presence.

And 172 years later, we're still at it. Still removing ourselves from the normal rhythms of our lives to rest and Listen for His still small voice.

And He still speaks...