he tabernacle in Old Testament times was not just the wilderness place of worship before the Hebrews built the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle served as the mobile residence of God.

Inside the tabernacle were curtains of blue, purple and scarlet; and images of cherubim were woven into the curtain fabric with golden thread. I suppose that if the tabernacle existed today it would be more like a highly customized tour bus like those used by our favorite bands, sporting an intriguing paint job - perhaps something with a dove motif or triadic structure, or maybe an all-seeing eye that seemed to follow you if you drove past it on the highway.

The Bible explains in Exodus 26:15-30 that the tabernacle was built for both strength and beauty. God gave explicit details as to the construction of the tabernacle, the materials to be used and precise measurements and colors for the structure.

The Tabernacle today

Now that we live in the shadow of the cross, Christians are the tabernacle of God. Ephesians 2:19-22 explains that God no longer roams the earth in a tent of animal skins and wooden beams, but He resides within us as believers.

The parallel teachings of the tabernacle's structure directly relate to us as believers concerning the expression of faith through our lives as people who reflect the character of God.

We can view the tabernacle of God as indicative of three key elements regarding relationships. These key elements are commitment, desire and grace. Let's see how these three elements of the tabernacle correspond to human relationships.

Commitment

Exodus 26:15-30 explains the strength and stability of the tabernacle. God gave the people special directions about the boards or rods that were to bear the weight of the veil. They inserted tenons into silver bases so that strong desert winds would not shake the interlocking boards and topple the tabernacle.

In the same way, Ephesians 4:16 describes the church of God - us, his people - as being "knit together" as though by sinews, ligaments and joints. In verse 14, it says the people of God are to be "interlocked" so that every wind of doctrine will not blow us about or topple the church due to a lack of a commitment and unity. This framework directly relates to our faith rooted in God's word.

A framework provides the support for an entire house. In construction, we say that a building has structural integrity. We can equate structural integrity to commitment. The framework commits to the house and its prolonged existence and ability to endure.

When we become Christians, we become part of a woven unity in God, creating an internal strength and familial support system. If our foundation of faith is not strong, it is only a matter of time before a wind of doctrine blows through, or a tragedy or source of contention occurs and topples our unstable lives. For this reason, we must commit to the teachings of the Word of God.

Desire

The very presence of God dwelling among his people represented his desire to be near his children. Despite our imperfections, weakness and even rebellion, God desires a relationship with his people.

Grace

Only the grace of God could allow man to live with God in harmony. God's grace offers forgiveness and covers countless shortcomings that would prevent us from having a relationship with him at all.

As Christians, we must extend grace and forgiveness to others if we want to have long-term relationships with others. We are each imperfect with our own personal issues. Grace is imperative for us to have successful, enduring relationships.

When life mistreats us

As individuals professing Christ as Lord and Savior, when we submit to the ways of the world and respond and react as mere humans without displaying the counter-cultural characteristics of Christ, people see us as the dim light of dusk rather than stars shining brightly in the universe.

As Christians, let us hold together with love and commitment to righteousness. Let us endure with one another patiently as God has dealt with us by an indescribable grace. Let us shine as spectacular in the eyes of the world by allowing the beautiful grace of God to dominate our own human responses and reactions.

When life mistreats us and cheats us, let us reflect on the promises of God that are eternal and hold tightly to the reality that this life and all its circumstances are fleeting and temporary. This being the case, commitment, desire and grace can overcome road rage, poor service at a restaurant, or the quick temper of a loved one who experienced a bad day.

Let us treat our relationships with others by relying on the internal characteristics of God and extend our grace to others as he does for us. Let the beauty and strength of God be seen through the expression of our lives as we hold firmly together with commitment to faith, desire for one another and gracious spirits. By so doing, we offer hope to an empty world and peace to our relationships.