I took this picture in Colorado Springs last Thanksgiving.
I like this picture because while we can see one of the climbers in person, we see two shadows. In order to see the guy on top of the rock, I had to walk around to the right. Even then, I could only see him when he stood up. The climber with the red backpack was somewhere between 80-100 feet up the rock face when I took this photo – while it looked like fun, I know it can be terrifying.
It takes courage, stamina, and skill to be able to climb the rocks like that – I doubt that the two guys climbing that day just woke up that morning and thought, “Hey, I’ve never climbed a rock before, I think I’ll go try that.” These guys had practiced what they were doing – they had the right tools, the right shoes, and the right communication skills. While the guy with the red backpack couldn’t see the guy on top of the rocks, he had to trust him and rely on him for help. In order to make it up the rock, the guy climbing had to find his way while listening to the advice of the guy who’d already done the climb.
In many ways, these guys are like the church. We may not see those who have gone before us, but we rely on where they’ve been. We can find our own way up the rock, but it helps to know what the people before us did. If I don’t know the mistakes my church has made, then I am liable to make those same mistakes. If I don’t pay attention to the one’s I can’t see anymore, then I am missing out on some wisdom that could be helpful. At the same time as I can rely on my predecessors, they don’t know how my culture is impacting my climb. Only those climbing with me know how culture is playing a part in our climb. We have to talk to one another about what’s going on if we want the climb to be successful.
I also like this picture because it reminds me of God – I can’t see God, but I can see the shadows of God all around me. Because I can see the shadow of God, I can rely on God to help me up the rocks of life. Plus, there are others on this climb that I can process with, talk to, get advice from, and simply sit with and enjoy the sun warming me as I climb.
I like this picture because while we can see one of the climbers in person, we see two shadows. In order to see the guy on top of the rock, I had to walk around to the right. Even then, I could only see him when he stood up. The climber with the red backpack was somewhere between 80-100 feet up the rock face when I took this photo – while it looked like fun, I know it can be terrifying.
It takes courage, stamina, and skill to be able to climb the rocks like that – I doubt that the two guys climbing that day just woke up that morning and thought, “Hey, I’ve never climbed a rock before, I think I’ll go try that.” These guys had practiced what they were doing – they had the right tools, the right shoes, and the right communication skills. While the guy with the red backpack couldn’t see the guy on top of the rocks, he had to trust him and rely on him for help. In order to make it up the rock, the guy climbing had to find his way while listening to the advice of the guy who’d already done the climb.
In many ways, these guys are like the church. We may not see those who have gone before us, but we rely on where they’ve been. We can find our own way up the rock, but it helps to know what the people before us did. If I don’t know the mistakes my church has made, then I am liable to make those same mistakes. If I don’t pay attention to the one’s I can’t see anymore, then I am missing out on some wisdom that could be helpful. At the same time as I can rely on my predecessors, they don’t know how my culture is impacting my climb. Only those climbing with me know how culture is playing a part in our climb. We have to talk to one another about what’s going on if we want the climb to be successful.
I also like this picture because it reminds me of God – I can’t see God, but I can see the shadows of God all around me. Because I can see the shadow of God, I can rely on God to help me up the rocks of life. Plus, there are others on this climb that I can process with, talk to, get advice from, and simply sit with and enjoy the sun warming me as I climb.
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