Work - man? - ship

I visited a church recently (Okay, it took me a month of crafting to create this post so it's no longer strictly true), an incredible structure dating back to the 800s. No typo, either. Upon entering, I was struck first by the silence then by the soaring architecture. The building burned down at some point in the past and the current church represents all the highlights of gothic styling. After looking around and reading as many descriptions as I could, I sat awaiting my travel companions. They decided to climb the tower and I chose to remain on terra firma. I'm not fond of heights.

When they returned, they shared pictures of their panoramic view. I showed them ones I had taken during their absence. You can find them here, too. Can you guess what I photographed?

If you can believe it, these are the chairs. Hundreds of them filled the sanctuary and each was intricately carved. Who even notices what they sit on? Yet someone had taken the time to create practical beauty for the glory of God. If artists take this long with furniture, imagine how much care our Heavenly Father takes with us!

The first book in the Bible informs us we bear God's image (Genesis 1:27). Psalms tells us our Creator took time to fashion us individually (139:13-16). And for those of us who doubt, Paul wrote to the church, "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6b). No worries if you aren't satisfied: God's still working on you and you're a masterpiece!

Today (actually today), one of my students remarked about how teachers respond differently to individuals in their class. I was once again reminded of how unique people are. I told them that cookie cutter answers wouldn't work because each of them is special. Teenagers aren't made of gingerbread after all. Taking time to discover the marvelous variety in personalities, experience, and views becomes an adventure, like visiting the Wonders of the World.

The lines to see man made monuments often wrap round and round but have you stopped to admire God's handiwork on display right beside you? When did you last take time to stop and admire the work of God on display in your neighbour, your family member, or the child passing you by on the street? Peter tells us that, as believers in Christ, we, "like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5a). That's a church I want to see!