Vision, Freedom, Character – Thoughts from the Edge

Patty and I happened into an antique shop while on vacation. There is a stretch of Hollister, MO that offers a quaint “old town” feel. I snapped this picture at Patty’s recognition that it would be a good one. She knows I really enjoy “reflections” in photos, mostly around water.

Sometimes what is needed is a “good eye.” Patty has a knack for “vistioning” things to make, craft, or decorate. Imagining what something could look like and how it would work differently than convention would dictate makes her wonderfully creative.

Weaving the texts from the Revised Common Lectionary often takes just such a turn – a creative one. Even more, sometimes we need to read with a view the writer is also crafting the story in a way that takes in the creative and imaginative. Some may eschew this description, but a flat reading of the 2 Kings passage may not trigger the relationship of the immediate text with the Exodus – water being struck and parted. Without such a reference point, one may miss how the prophets call attention to the uncanny resemblance of the way of life under an unkind Pharaoh and the kings in Israel and Judah from time to time.

Tying the call to live differently requires envisioning the real impact of the Kingdom of God in our present experience. Paul exhorts the Christians in Galatia to live free and not submit to an old yoke of slavery. How reminiscent of the plight of the people of God in the Old Testament.

And, if we consider the creative, we might look at the chariots of fire taking Elijah from a watching Elisha to prompt us to consider how we view the activity of God in the world. Sometimes we need eyes to see the way in which God works, and very differently, than what we witness all around us. Take into account the new creation way of living described in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and we may be the very striking vision in a world where such displays of the character of Jesus may well be construed as “apocalyptic.”

Just some thoughts. What are yours?

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

2 comments on “Vision, Freedom, Character – Thoughts from the Edge

  1. I can’t wait to listen to this! However, I have a question regarding Patty’s ability to vision things…did she ever make anything out of those rocks from Orcas? 😀

    1. Her plans for those rocks is still intact. She is still learning some skills to go with the project. Learning to do some stained glass kind of work.

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