Capturing God Without a Lens
Every time I walk into this church when the sun is shining, I see this stained glass window illuminated. It is breathtaking. Many times, I have taken out my phone and tried to capture what I see.
I’ve never been able to do it with this device. Always just a blob of shining light; like a private joke that the Lord shares with me, reminding me of my persistent futile efforts to capture God instead of resting in the delight of experiencing Him.
My daughter recently spoke to me about things of God and this image reminded me today of her words...
She talked about how dull life is without Christ. And how even the most beautiful song of praise can sound like grating noise when we are not attentive to His Presence. She said she didn’t want to live that deadly boring kind of life, behind a wall of sin or ignorance of Christ. She prayed over me... and I rested.
I thought of my window and the clarity I desire—the moment I step into church, catch my breath, and stand in awe for a second just before I put the phone lens between me and the vision God created in me.
Life is stunning. Even grief reveals the shocking depth of love with which we are designed. Nothing would hurt if we didn’t first fall into love. Repentance seems to begin with allowing the lens of dullness to be stripped.
No numbing agents.
No filters.
No blindness.
No crutch.
Terrifying.
Breathtaking.
And God willing, we will allow Him to make us strong enough to withstand His piercing light, flourish within it, and not seek to repackage it behind a comfortable lens.
Overcome me, Lord. I am not strong enough to will it. ❤️
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“And how even the most beautiful song of praise can sound like grating noise when we are not attentive to His Presence.” Wow, I know this to be so true.