The vantage point shown in this photograph only gives a glimpse of the river through the trees. Furthermore, a still photograph does not capture the sound of the rushing water nor any of the smells so prevalent in a heavily wooded area. We need our imaginations and some past experiences to fill in the blanks for us as we look at this particular image.
There are times in life when we get a treasured glimpse of the sacred. It may be at church when the presence of Christ is revealed to us in a very tangible way. It may be while walking in a picturesque setting of God's magnificent and creative handiwork in the mountains or along the coastline of a body of water. It may be while coping with immense tragedy or sorrow. The presence of God can be experienced in any setting at any time.
The events in Dallas have troubled my mind immensely. It is difficult to grasp the reality of violence that has captured our country. Through the awful and devastating horror of each incident that takes place, I am grateful for the small fragment of good that we see emerge from the chaos and destruction. Stories are coming out little by little from Dallas demonstrating these glimpses of the sacred.
National and world events can be thrust in front of our eyes over and over in the perpetual 24 hour news cycle. It can make us angry; it can cause us grief; it can send us into a sense of depression and despair. There is plenty of news to impact us in a negative way.
In the last 48 hours I have also been reminded that people outside of the spotlight still struggle as well. Illness, death of a loved one, losing a job, a spouse walking out of a relationship, and spiritual desolation are all topics I heard about over the weekend. Let's face it. There are times when life does not progress smoothly. There is pain, hurt, loneliness, and fear.
Staying rooted in prayer can be easier said than done when life is difficult. What happens when we constantly feel like we are in a desert with no spiritual consolation at all? How do we persevere? That is when we must realize that love is a decision and not just a feeling. We are blessed when we receive a glimpse of the sacred in whatever fashion that may be, but we continue on in faithfulness even if there is no such consolation taking place. We walk in faith and not by sight. We pray in hope, and hope does not disappoint. (See Romans 5:5)
There are times in life when we get a treasured glimpse of the sacred. It may be at church when the presence of Christ is revealed to us in a very tangible way. It may be while walking in a picturesque setting of God's magnificent and creative handiwork in the mountains or along the coastline of a body of water. It may be while coping with immense tragedy or sorrow. The presence of God can be experienced in any setting at any time.
The events in Dallas have troubled my mind immensely. It is difficult to grasp the reality of violence that has captured our country. Through the awful and devastating horror of each incident that takes place, I am grateful for the small fragment of good that we see emerge from the chaos and destruction. Stories are coming out little by little from Dallas demonstrating these glimpses of the sacred.
National and world events can be thrust in front of our eyes over and over in the perpetual 24 hour news cycle. It can make us angry; it can cause us grief; it can send us into a sense of depression and despair. There is plenty of news to impact us in a negative way.
In the last 48 hours I have also been reminded that people outside of the spotlight still struggle as well. Illness, death of a loved one, losing a job, a spouse walking out of a relationship, and spiritual desolation are all topics I heard about over the weekend. Let's face it. There are times when life does not progress smoothly. There is pain, hurt, loneliness, and fear.
Staying rooted in prayer can be easier said than done when life is difficult. What happens when we constantly feel like we are in a desert with no spiritual consolation at all? How do we persevere? That is when we must realize that love is a decision and not just a feeling. We are blessed when we receive a glimpse of the sacred in whatever fashion that may be, but we continue on in faithfulness even if there is no such consolation taking place. We walk in faith and not by sight. We pray in hope, and hope does not disappoint. (See Romans 5:5)
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