Flourishing Visualized

In November, 2009 my husband had the "big 65" birthday. Reflection on our past and consideration of what was ahead was inevitable. During long conversations over numerous cups of coffee during our daily afternoon ritual of spending time together, we discussed the culturally-expected question, "Is it time to retire--or at least slow down?" We have been in very active vocational ministry since we married when Glenn was 20 and I was 18 years old. The last 25 years were spent in a very demanding cross-cultural ministry. We had made four international moves. In 2004 we suffered through a terrible "re-entry" to living in America, yet Glenn continued his multi-country responsibility, while I trained other missionaries to go to the field. In 2007 I joined Artists in Christian Testimony International and began a ministry of encouraging and mentoring artists-of-faith. But--was it time to pull back?

In January 2010 God answered our question very clearly. First, a friend admonished me to read Psalm 92:9-12 very carefully. 

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit, they will remain vital and green. They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!" (NLT; emphasis mine)

The message came through loud and strong. Retirement. . . slowing down. . . wasn't in the vocabulary of God's Kingdom. As long as we have physical ability, we are to keep serving Him. And, when physical restraints inevitably do slow us down--the focus is to continue to FLOURISH. In all circumstances of life we are produce fruit and remain vital and green--to God's glory.

We claimed this verse and make a renewed commitment of service to God. We desired to flourish, "even in old age." Immediately, God made it clear that He has work for us to do. That same month Glenn was asked to take the role as Senior Regional Director of Europe for Community Bible Study International. Soon I became the Europe Ministries Director for A.C.T. International. We were returned to ministry in our beloved continent of Europe, after a five year absence. My book, I Choose to Forgive, was published in 2010 and immediately God spread it internationally. As of now, it is published in English, German and Urdu--with more languages to come. My European speaking ministry exploded. Flourishing became an attempt to just keep up with the opportunities and responsibilities God provided!

In the midst of all this, we wanted a visual statement of our commitment to flourish. I was constantly looking for an art piece that would visualize Psalm 92:9-12. Last fall I was viewing the art work of an artist that I had first met in 2009, Ann Williams. On her website (http://ann.envisiongalleries.com) was a picture she titled, Centered Stability. For me, it screamed, "Flourishing!" I contacted her and arranged to buy this piece. Then, the plan of God was revealed.

The artist explained that this piece had been painted following the 2009 CIVA conference in which we had met. It reflected Makoto Fujimura's insightful talk using the metaphor of the estuary where we are to bring rootedness, transformation, renewed life and safety to others. She continued to share that meeting me at that conference and hearing my story of thriving following the devastation of grief over the murder of our son was the epitome, for her, of this painting and Mako's teaching.

Without knowing any of this background, I was drawn to this beautiful painting of the water lily--firmly rooted in the soil and growing through all the vissitudes that environment can provide in order to be a thing of beauty--and a place of safety to others. Clearly, this is flourishing. 

Join me in this commitment to flourish wherever God places you--not for yourself, but for the safety of others and the glory of God. May you bear good fruit and lush, green leaves. . .even in old age!

Amen.

No "Four White Walls" in God's Design

In my daily Bible reading I've just completed reading the book of Exodus, only to be astounded afresh at the detailed artistic instructions God gave for the building of a traveling tent for the purpose of worship in the wilderness. The Tabernacle, a forerunner of the Jerusalem Temple, was a design given to Moses directly from God. It was of great importance, both to God and to the nation of Israel. God obviously didn't agree that true worship takes place in a room with "four whitewashed walls" as Zwingli and other Swiss reformers proclaimed in the Sixteenth Century.

In the Exodus (35-40) account, the artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, were especially gifted by the Lord. . .energized by the Holy Spirit. . . with both wisdom and skill. This first-recorded gifting by the Holy Spirit was for the creation of a beautiful place of worship, a dedicated "sacred space" (Exodus 28:2, 31:3; 36:1). Both men and women worked to produce the building materials and artistic expressions. They used only the most precious components such as gold, silver and bronze; precious stones; and beautiful fabrics. These were willingly donated by all the people, even at a personal sacrifice. And, in addition to the functional nature of the items, God instructed them to be decorated. . .for no other reason than to make the objects of beauty. Repeatedly the text indicates that an object was to be made beautiful through decoration. Amazing. An itinerant bunch of people, wandering around in the desert sand, told to DECORATE items in the dwelling place of YAHWEH. Incredible.

In addition, God instructed that worship should involve ALL the senses--not merely hearing the Word or singing, as we define it. Obviously, the beauty of the curtains, tables, robes of the priests, the solid gold candlesticks and altar were a delight for the eyes. Special instructions for the making and burning of incense that would blend with the terrible smell of the burning sacrifices were given. The use of the washbasin and the altar utensils, as well as the pouring of the infused olive oil were examples of tactile involvement.The eating of the sacrificed animals and the bread by Aaron and the priests engaged taste. The sounds of the animals being sacrificed and the bells of the priests' robes gave the aural faculty a heavy involvement in the worship process. It was a full-sensory experience for sure!

In my field research I learned that there are still many Christians who believe God has forbidden the painting or sculpting of any "image" or representational object, especially for use in the church. However, this isn't supported in the designs for the Tabernacle. God instructed that items such as horns of oxen, pomegranates, tulips and cheribim be made, woven or painted for the Tabernacle--including for use in the Holy of Holies. Color, symbol and representational art were all involved.

The clothing and "jewelry" to be worn by the priests was to be made with the greatest precision of fine cloth, precious stones, costly dyes and pure gold. Even their undergarments were to be made with care, the best of materials and decorated for beauty!

Finally, what was so evident to me was that God knew that such beauty would be costly--and yet he required it. God had prepared the Israelites to pay this price by causing the Egyptians to give them all their clothing, silver and gold before the nation ended their four centuries of enslavement (Exodus 12: 35-36).  Time, creative abilities and the most expensive of materials were costs that God knew would be required. Yet--He, the King of Glory, demanded it. . . and it was worth it. Imagine the awe for God that was inspired as the people entered the completed place of worship. They came to worship with their whole being. In the midst of beauty.

The building of the Tabernacle God underscored the importance. . . the absolutely necessity. . .of beauty. May we do the same.