A New Way of Seeing
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STRECKERT
I hate that we can’t travel abroad right now. It’s such a first world problem for 2020 when there are plenty of other tough things going on, but it’s what happens to be hitting me hard right now. Maybe it’s not the fact that Americans are grounded at the moment, but the unknown of when those rules will be lifted, when we can physically and mentally soar again. So much of our lives feels on hold.
We can put up with a lot if we know it has an end date, but the unknown is often the hardest part.
Without that schedule or future plan, we can feel aimless, lazy, or lose ambition. There’s always tomorrow, right? Nothing’s going to change. It’s not like I have plans.
We can dig ourselves into unhealthy holes that we tell ourselves are more comfortable than getting pummeled on the surface with everyone else. But it’s dark down here.
“I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?”
We need a light to help us out, or a new way of seeing. Maybe even some special glasses.
In October of last year, I walked into Bath Abbey alone for a choral evensong service. The choir was finishing rehearsal, so I walked along the edges of the sanctuary looking at the stained glass windows. The colors were not as vibrant in the half light, but still had beauty. The two friends I was traveling with were not interested in coming to evensong with me, but were happy to shop down the street while I went into the Abbey for some quiet time.
I took a seat and sat in silence and stillness. Scripture was read and the choir sang traditional songs of the English church.
Hearing and proclaiming God’s Word straight from Scripture is so grounding, especially when traveling abroad and attending a service alone. I was glad to reconnect with God. It had been a few days of wonderful travel, but I felt I hadn’t slowed down enough to talk to God more than quick murmured prayers of “please let this be the right train” or “thanks God for this beautiful nature.”
The service re-filled my soul, and I found myself crying as it ended. Parishioners slowly ushered themselves out, but I stayed in my pew along with some other lingerers, trying to wipe my eyes without drawing attention.
But a middle-aged woman noticed me. She had an understanding smile and appeared to have been crying too. She was wearing heart-shaped wire glasses with rose colored lenses.
“Are you visiting?” she asked me.
How could she already know I was a tourist?! I replied “Yes. I just got to Bath yesterday.”
She seemed excited at this and told me how she was a bus driver for the sightseeing tours that drove around the city. We made a little small talk about the best things to go see and eventually brought it back to what a nice service we just attended.
“It’s kind of what we all needed right now.” Her eyes told me she acknowledged whatever I was crying about, but she also told me how the city was mourning the recent loss of a local student who tragically died from falling out a seventh floor window.
We were all bringing things into that cathedral, many of which no one else knew but ourselves. People are broken and carrying heavy loads whether we see them or not.
But that woman I met did not stay sad as she talked with me. I could sense that she honestly saw life through those rose-colored glasses. She spoke with faith and hope because she knew that was not the end of the boy’s story.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
While death sounds like the worst thing that could happen to us, we know it’s actually the best thing. We know where we’re going when we die, so we can hold that hope today as we wait. Our daily tough circumstances may not change, but there is still good to be seen around us if we look for it. Knowing our greatest need of salvation is already secured, it changes how we can view and live our lives.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
I want to see 2020 through her rose colored glasses.
I may not have traveled abroad as I planned this year, but what is the good I’ve seen around me at home?
I may not have been throwing out quick prayers for safe travel, but where did I grow closer to God or others because of the slower pace? Could I make a point to be in prayer or read/listen to my Bible more? How will I practically make that happen (scheduling it, timers and reminders, saying no to Netflix one night a week, etc.)?
Maybe God is simply wanting me to be still enough to sit in his presence, and it doesn’t even need to be in an old European cathedral. He is everywhere, singing words of peace over me. Just listen to his voice. No need to actively do anything right now.
What do you see and hear?
What do you know to be true about God?
What has he done in the past?
What will never change?
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Jesus told this to his disciples shortly before he’d be arrested and murdered, as recorded in Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, and Luke 21:33. Jesus was preparing them for the things that would come, even if they did not understand all he meant at the time. He wanted his disciples to have the right perspective— this world will not last. Our bodies will not last.
Jesus has something better promised, and while we can’t save the date on our calendar, our last trip is booked, and it will be the best adventure of all.
I crave travel because it is a change from my norm. There are plenty of good things to come from that, but when you’re stuck in an apartment alone for months, you are forced to notice and love the things that truly never change.
God is still in control.
He still loves me no matter what I did or didn’t do this year.
He has already saved my soul.
No matter how long we’re stuck at home waiting for the pandemic rules to lift, we can live each day grounded right where we are, with a rose colored assurance of how our story ends. It’ll be alright.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
“It won’t be long, we will behold him
And every tear He’ll wipe away
We’ll be at home, the war will be over
Soon we will meet our Savior face to face
All our worship will belong to You forever
Holy holy for all eternity
Yours is the name that reigns above all others
Jesus Christ the king above all kings”