I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:13-14
I have been watching myself as I take photographs. What I have noticed is how often I hone in on paths, roads, trails, open doorways, windows, rivers and other images that seem to be inviting the viewer to consider what is next, around the corner, through the window or the other side of the door.
I believe this is a good theological perspective to have, this looking on down a road or through a window or door. Because I always believe there are new possibilities – or avenues – even when a situation presents itself as hopeless or without any hint or framework for positive change.
Good art, in my estimation, is not supposed to merely look pretty it needs to have a message, some kind of an invitation. I think this is because creativity of the highest order is very much a gift of the Spirit and God’s message is always going to lead us into the possibilities and the healing and the challenge that is always held in tomorrow.
So the trails and the open doors call to me in terms of hope and of promise. And I think that at the heart of this message is the idea that these paths and roads and tracks and doorways and thresholds and arches and rivers all represent not just a future and a hope (which is a lot) but in a deeper sense they offer a journey home.
All of us carry, I believe, a kind of homing beacon that is working – most often quietly in the background – to latch onto the signal that will eventually lead us home.
The cliché goes, “home is where the heart is.” Truth is that we are all looking for our heart’s true home.
Our Heart’s True Home:
This is why these images are so powerful. Truth is powerful. The invitation home is powerful. So why do we resist so much?
Here’s the thing about this calling to take a few steps along a path and into the future: it can be risky inasmuch as we are also being invited to trust God. But I know of so many sad, tragic, dead-end stories right now that do not have to stay where they are, do not have to keep repeating the same patterns, are not obliged to concede defeat.
I want these images to give you – to give all of us – the courage to step into a future defined by healing and by possibility and by peace. Not easy so much as wonderful and creative and brave.
– DEREK
Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
