I love this! On the second point: Ned Bustard has a lovely linocut print that’s just a pair of flip flops next to a burning bush. I’ve been trying to track it down so I can show you, because it stopped me in my tracks in a similar way. It made that feeling so tangible: I want NOTHING between me and the holy ground of God’s presence.
My latest rabbit trail has been examining how and when the Holy Spirit is described specifically as a bird - most notably in the baptism of Jesus, but also in the creation narrative! The Hebrew verb used to describe “hovering” in Genesis 1:2 is translated elsewhere in the Bible as “fluttering.” In both accounts - creation and Jesus’ baptism - we have Father, Son, and Holy Spirit present at the water, with God saying he is well pleased.
We tend to think the imagery of the Holy Spirit as a dove is common in scripture, but it’s really not. More common is the metaphor of breath, wind, or fire, so the specificity of the bird imagery in these two accounts is significant. To me, it adds a whole new layer of meaning to Jesus’ baptism - that he has come to recreate the world and to bring that joy of perfect unity back to his world. How beautiful!!!! I’ve been sitting with that one for a few months as I work out a painting combining the two narratives, and it continues to delight me.
This is so beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to share what you're seeing. I love the connection between creation and Jesus' baptism. I'm going to keep thinking about this one.
I always ask God for my “word of the year.” A few years ago, the word He gave me was REMEMBER. I spent a year trying to figure out why—I sat with it, highlighted it when it showed up in the Word or in my life, but the year came and went and even now, years later, I couldn’t tell you that something profound happened in me because of that word.
Then I read your post this morning, and your third point stopped me in my tracks. That year (and the years surrounding it) was one of the most doubtful of my 30+ year Christian life. Though I’ve firmly chosen to stick with faith and to trust, truly, what I cannot see or easily assent to, the doubt still lingers. The illumination of the word “remember,” specifically juxtaposed against “trust” and “faith,” is blooming something within me. Since, as you referenced, God’s time is not like ours, I’m not convinced He didn’t want me to wait till now to notice, and it feels healing to that time. I’m going to sit with these things, as you are. But wow, what a helpful revelation — and perhaps just the seed (planted, watered, starting to grow) I needed to REMEMBER what He wanted to show me in the word “remember.” Thank you!
Powerful!
I love this! On the second point: Ned Bustard has a lovely linocut print that’s just a pair of flip flops next to a burning bush. I’ve been trying to track it down so I can show you, because it stopped me in my tracks in a similar way. It made that feeling so tangible: I want NOTHING between me and the holy ground of God’s presence.
My latest rabbit trail has been examining how and when the Holy Spirit is described specifically as a bird - most notably in the baptism of Jesus, but also in the creation narrative! The Hebrew verb used to describe “hovering” in Genesis 1:2 is translated elsewhere in the Bible as “fluttering.” In both accounts - creation and Jesus’ baptism - we have Father, Son, and Holy Spirit present at the water, with God saying he is well pleased.
We tend to think the imagery of the Holy Spirit as a dove is common in scripture, but it’s really not. More common is the metaphor of breath, wind, or fire, so the specificity of the bird imagery in these two accounts is significant. To me, it adds a whole new layer of meaning to Jesus’ baptism - that he has come to recreate the world and to bring that joy of perfect unity back to his world. How beautiful!!!! I’ve been sitting with that one for a few months as I work out a painting combining the two narratives, and it continues to delight me.
This is so beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to share what you're seeing. I love the connection between creation and Jesus' baptism. I'm going to keep thinking about this one.
adored this post!! I also go down these rabbit holes and love reading the journeys God sends us all down! Keep sharing!!
I always ask God for my “word of the year.” A few years ago, the word He gave me was REMEMBER. I spent a year trying to figure out why—I sat with it, highlighted it when it showed up in the Word or in my life, but the year came and went and even now, years later, I couldn’t tell you that something profound happened in me because of that word.
Then I read your post this morning, and your third point stopped me in my tracks. That year (and the years surrounding it) was one of the most doubtful of my 30+ year Christian life. Though I’ve firmly chosen to stick with faith and to trust, truly, what I cannot see or easily assent to, the doubt still lingers. The illumination of the word “remember,” specifically juxtaposed against “trust” and “faith,” is blooming something within me. Since, as you referenced, God’s time is not like ours, I’m not convinced He didn’t want me to wait till now to notice, and it feels healing to that time. I’m going to sit with these things, as you are. But wow, what a helpful revelation — and perhaps just the seed (planted, watered, starting to grow) I needed to REMEMBER what He wanted to show me in the word “remember.” Thank you!
Wow. I love this, Amber! Isn't it just like God to let a seed bloom years later? Thank you for sharing what He's been showing you. 🤎