Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, September 24, 2023
“Come, see!” my husband called, and I hustled out the door to see what he saw. And then I took twenty-one photos.
The photo I’ve included here is not the most spectacular of them all, but I chose it because it includes our next-door neighbors’ rooftop and the trees, which, dark as they are, still give you an idea of scale.
I’m so glad I swiftly answered his call, because after I took six quick photos, the clouds shifted and the scene completely changed. The big, beautiful, blue open space had closed. The sky continued to be a photographer’s delight, but that open space was what had caused us to look up in wonder and awe.
And yes, it reminded me of Jesus.
My ears heard about Jesus coming, even before my infant mind could understand the words. As a little girl I’d seen flannel board depictions of His coming, surrounded by lots of angels. And then as I grew older I saw many magnificent paintings of His coming, with more accompanying angels than a flannel board could hold.
But I hold an open space in my mind for what it will really look like when He comes. As hard as we’ve tried, all these years, to imagine and portray it, how close can our puny finite minds come to His glory?
I’m longing to find out. And as I looked up at that big, beautiful, blue open space one week ago, I longed for Jesus to come through that space right then. Right then!
I recently completed a re-read of the gospel of Luke, in which Jesus is recorded as saying,
At that time [not last week – sigh] they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:27-28 NIV)
I’m ready to stand up and lift up – aren’t you? And then we’ll lift off!
You’ve no doubt heard of comfort food? I have, and I have enjoyed eating it. What I have to offer you here are comfort words, from the pen of Paul:
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NKJV)
Amen, yes, and even so, come, Lord Jesus!