Long Talk….

After leaving our cruise ship, we took in one last shore excursions, the New York City Metro Area. As we stepped off the tour bus at Rockefeller Center, a clothes-line greeted passerby’s. No really, clothes-lines everywhere all around. My first thought, Friday must be laundry day in New York City. Then our tour guide informed the group that it was art. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have been challenging myself to read more during my sabbatical. One of my favorite authors is Barbara Brown Taylor. I love the imagery she uses to describe how faith connects nature. Towards the end of of Taylor’s book, “Leaving Church” she lifted up the importance of the word “behold”. I have been interested to learn that the word “behold” is used over 1298 times in the King James Translation of the Bible. In recent years, the word behold is used less, and less in contemporary translation. How often do we use “behold” in a sentence? Behold, I went to the store for milk. Behold, I need to fill the car up with gas. Finally, behold, I must go to church!

Maybe we are hesitant to use the word “behold” because we have lost its meaning and purpose. To “behold” means we are going to have to be still and give our full attention. We live in a fast paced, multi-tasking and rushing world, we have lost the meaning to stop and behold.

“Behold, I bring you great tidings of great joy.” Luke 3:10

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Revelation 3:20

“Behold, A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

I love how Barbara Brown Taylor’s words and the above mentioned scriptures invites us to a different and deeper understanding of “behold”. As we make time to “behold”, we are transported from what we believe to the mysteries of faith. The mysteries of faith that are woven and affirmed through the Creeds of faith, the miracles/teachings of Jesus, and the awareness of God in our midst in our daily life.

The last few morning, I have returned to my routine of walking 3 to 4 miles a day. As I felt the mist of the water off the sprinkler, I thought, “Behold, may the mist remind me that Christ offers living water.” When I rounded the corner of the street and was greeted by the rising sun, my “behold” moment was simply, “Good Morning God!” How would it look if we were more intentional in acknowledging and recognizing the “behold” moments from our Creator and Sustainer of life.

Peace- Tom