full of grace

i took this photo last year when i was in san francisco for a usability conference. i was so in love with the lettering and wanted to remember it. is it not gorgeous?!

the photo made me think about churches .. i never felt particularly close to god in church while i was growing up. other places, sure, but not in church. i spent a semester studying in england during college. during our travels around europe, i did feel his presence in all the churches we visited. looking back on it now, i think i know why.

it was beauty. breathtaking beauty. beauty in art. beauty in sculpture. beauty in architecture. beauty in song. (i can still hear a faint echo of the boy's choir singing in the york minster cathedral and my heart almost catches in my chest.)

this is not to say that i think a church needs to be outwardly beautiful. i imagine that if i found a church that felt like home, none of that would matter. but i don't know that it matters to me that i'm not looking for one .. because beauty is everywhere.

Comments

[Holly]

Did you know that the original Greek for Church is ekklesia, and that it means "the called out ones"? It has nothing to do with the building at all, but everything to do with the people. Imagine what the world could be like if people spent the amount of time working on themselves, to be better lovers of God and people and the planet, that they spend making impressive buildings were God cannot dwell?

But I agree that God is the author of all things beautiful, and we can see Him and find him whenever we search. :)

[Liss]

There is something magical about beautiful churches. I loved Notre Dame in Paris.

I agree with you beauty is everywhere some time we just need to open our eyes and look around.

[Laura Jean]

When I attended church for the first time in years (about 8 years), I was feeling a bit anxious. I was sitting there, in a pretty plain building, trying to calm down. Just when I was ready to get up and get some air a streak of sunlight shined down through a high window and filled the sanctuary with a warm glow. I immediately felt calmed and sat and appreciated the light that God sent. It was a pretty neat experience. :)

[rebecca]

I've always loved the architecture of Gothic-looking churches. Also, going into an old church for me fills me with a certain kind of wonderment and peace. I don't care much for churches that look ordinary - like houses. Not to say, I won't enter them, but there's something very different attending a St. Patrick's Cathredal, for example, than my local, tiny church. Very, very different.

[elizabeth @ retinal perspectives]

@rebecca: i do know what you mean. i meant to add "beauty in history" to my list, but apparently i forgot.

@laura: what a wonderful story. i love that! i'm glad you found the peace you needed in that moment.

@liss: i did too. (though i spent a lot of time looking for quasimodo .. there is the history thing again)

@holly: i can imagine, yes. it is beautiful. (and my feelings really have nothing to do with the building, per se. i think we just have our own ways of connecting with him, and for me, beauty is a big one.)

[Caroline]

That is beautiful font...very Celtic. I don't find God in church either...and I don't feel bad about it. I have not been to church in so long. But beauty surrounds me and I can pray anytime :) Your photos lately are so beautiful...

[Nora]

Two years ago, I was caught in a moment of feeling completely overwhelmed. The weather wasn't helping, as the sky was super dark with impending rain. After sending my school kids off to meet the bus, I sat down in the Lazy Boy with my brand new baby and felt the exhaution of sleepless nights pressing down on me. I was trying unsuccessfully to convince myself that things were going well. On the verge of tears, I looked out of the window expecting to see yet again pure dreariness. Yet the most amazing thing happened. I was looking out over our large valley of fall colors, and a shaft of sunlight came out of nowhere to illuminate a circle of the trees, to where they almost looked as if they were on fire. I stared in awe. The contrast between the dark sky and trees, and this illuminated circle was breathtaking. When I looked back down at the sleeping baby, I felt a deep contentment come over me. Then I looked back outside, and the light was gone. But it had done it's magic. That was the most profound moment of feeling God's presence that I've ever experienced. So yes, God can speak through beauty, and in many ways. Personally I dont find it in man-made beauty so much. I love architecture, but more as a study of great craftsmanship, not as a benefit for worship or anything. I'm of a plain-church variety though, as you know. :) Sorry for being so long in commenting, I was just reminded of that day.

[Leanne]

What a gorgeous post (and I LOVE that lettering too). I have definitely felt the presence of God in my church, but also in countless other places. I loved this so much - and the other stories shared!

[elizabeth @ retinal perspectives]

@nora: that was an amazingly beautiful story. thank you for being willing to share it with us. i can see the image - and feel the magic in your words. thank you.

[Relyn]

I am just sitting here nodding my head. God is so very present in beauty, isn't He? In our ability to create and appreciate something lovely.