God in Color
What if I really set out to see God in our city? Many people see things in black and white, but not so with God. God is imaginative and bold in the context of culture, if we seek to find Him there. With camera in hand and eyes eager to see in new ways, I went to find God in my own city. Some of the images I found downtown I had passed over hundreds of times.
Here are some reflections on nine snapshots from Denver:
1) Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me declares the Lord." I just liked the church name, but when I looked up the scripture reference, I thought it was fitting. The marginalized in society are raging battle against spiritual forces and government powers every day.
2) In the spirit of the incarnation, this woman was being the eyes of Jesus in helping a blind man walk – Job 29:15 “I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame” (NIV).
3) The City and County Building – a place where freedoms are granted and taken away from people every day. The city keeps neutral holiday icons, snowmen and Santa, on exhibit, but baby Jesus is kept locked, away from the scrutiny of an angry public.
4) The cross – symbolic of the scandal of God; Jesus coming to earth, entering with us into suffering, and submitting to the Father’s will even to death on the cross.
5) A new world – I wondered what our world would be like if all people desired to put God in the very center of their lives, everyday.
6) The throne – I thought about Jesus, the Lamb on the Throne, although on this throne is a horse. It provoked thoughts about how so many people, including myself, have thought, or still think God is like the vindictive judge who sits on high, looking down on us from above, waiting to condemn us for all our wrongdoings and misgivings.
7) Robert – I was attracted to the sound of his trumpet. He agreed to let me take his picture and said he was “making some noise.” I kept thinking about making a joyful noise and the gift of music that God gives us in order to worship Him. Psalm 150:3 “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre.”
8) Two men sharing – Proverbs 16:19, “Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”
9) Ms. Pretty – She obviously did not know I took this picture. It struck me how she kept staring into this little mirror. Does she like the image staring back at her, or does she see pain? Does she now look like someone she no longer knows? What, if anything, is she anticipating that will change from this minute to the next? I thought about how fully and wonderfully Jesus knows me, and I wondered if someday Jesus will know her, too. She reminded me of Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Comments
I enjoyed your images and reflections, Kelli. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Jeff J | January 25, 2006 08:47 AM
Dear Kelli,This is really a beautiful piece. So many times, we say "God is every where" and then do not notice where he is. You have encouraged me to "look."
Posted by: mama rose | January 26, 2006 05:06 PM