In focus

When dark, this space is like any other, drab, utilitarian.  But when the sun shines, the room vibrates with a crazy quilt of color, seemingly random, but still beautiful.  Only when you turn your eyes toward the sun does the picture come into focus and the intent of the artist become clear.

And so it is with faith.  While we might revel in the beauty caused by the Son, only when we turn our eyes to Him does He come into sharp focus.  And only by fixing our eyes on Him can we begin to understand, through faithful study, his artistry.

Stir me with with discontent, Lord.  Keep me from blithely basking in the rainbow of colors that radiates from your presence.  Draw me to the look directly into the Light, Lord, that I may focus on understanding your artistry in me, in the world, in Christ.

Hope Dawns

Immanuel Episcopal Church in LaGrange, Tennessee
photo copyright N. Y. Smith

Once a place of hope,

In time of peace a place of worship,

In time of slavery a place of divided communion,

In time of war a place of death,

In time, in God,

Hope dawns again.

Knowing

We spend so much time focusing on his divinity that it's really hard to imagine the temptations Jesus must have felt as his time on Earth was drawing to a close.  His humanity was as complete as ours. 

He knew hunger. 

He knew jealousy. 

He knew anger. 

He knew fear. 

He knew them all, but always resisted them, knowing that they would become distractions on his journey.  He continued on the right path.  He turned his face away from his old life and toward Calvary.  He listened to his Father, then took the path necessary for the redemption of his lost lambs.

What wondrous love.