I was scrolling through the photos on my phone recently and saw so many photos that I took this past year that I didn’t have the bandwidth to blog on. I was taking photos for myself, but most of my energy was around keeping our church running as the primary tech person. I loved my time serving the church in this way. I loved working with so many of the congregation helping them film and upload clips of themselves doing prayers, scriptures, music, and other worship elements. Keeping up with my blog felt like one more thing tech related and was a drain on my energy. Now we are back in the sanctuary and we are livestreaming the service, so I am more free, and apparently my creativity and desire to blog is coming back!
Yesterday I preached on Revelation 4 and how John tried to give words to a magnificent scene. He describes a sea of glass and I was reminded of being on Lake Lure during a really magical and holy moment this past fall. I was at the lake alone for study leave and could see that the reflection was crystal clear. I jumped into the boat and went out on the lake for about a half hour of beauty. I have never seen it quite like this before—the perfectly still water and the skies declaring God’s handiwork.
During the recent sermon series, we have discussed many times that the sea on scripture is a symbol of chaos, uncertainty, challenges. Revelation 4, and this 30 minutes on Lake Lure, remind me that God is in control and can smooth out all of our suffering. I am also very aware that while I may be feeling like I am emerging from this time of chaos, that many are still well entrenched in the storm.
Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come.”
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created. (Rev. 4:8,11, NRSV)
Camera Prayers 