Crown of Thorns

“and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.” Matthew 27:29

I found the above old dry branch 5 years ago in the Cedarberg mountains. It’s beauty struck me and I picked it up and took it back to the cottage. I have kept it with me on my mantlepiece, always planning to photograph its stark and weathered lines. This week I finally did and no matter how I tried I just couldn’t shoot my usual close up macro shot. It didn’t work. The branch needed to be shown in its entirety. While I was photographing it the words “crown of thorns” came into my head.

Now when I look at it I am reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Message version of Isaiah 53 says:  ”But it was our sins that did it to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him – our sins! He took the punishment that made us whole, through his bruises we get healed.” I don’t often reflect on the unbelievable pain that he endured for us. The humiliation and shame that he faced. The Passion of the Christ burnt into my mind a picture of the crown of thrown being pushed down onto Jesus’ head, but only when I think about it.

What amazing loving and sacrifice that he should endure that all for me. Not only for my salvation, but also that I might be made whole.

Feel the reins in my hand.

Should I risk the path of service,

Release my needs to the will of an other?

Reach into festering humanity.

Give up my wine for daily bread?

He freely walked into hard-baked agony.

Knelt in the sewers of society.

Carried other’s burdens in torn flesh.

Bled into the cup of victory.

Will I trust His perfect sacrifice

and let Him change my life?

Hold My Hand

I took this photograph while out with my family and friends in one of my favourite places, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. I caught a moment when my daughter took comfort from her father’s presence. She was looking for acorns. The ground she was walking on was uneven and there were probably more strangers lurking around than she would have liked.

There is something about leaning into the Father. Holding his hand while the ground is uneven and possibly even shaky. There is a comfort in leaning into His presence even while we are actively engaged in something else. Knowing that He is right alongside us while we are busy looking for our own acorns. We are so often told to look at Jesus and this is so very valid. However, I find it hard to focus on more than one thing at the same time. It helps me to be aware of His presence, His guidance, His comfort and maybe even His voice while I am busy living the life that He has called me to live.

I know that he takes delight in my discoveries. I know that He is right beside me making sure I don’t slip or fall. Sometimes I can’t stare fully into his face, but I can stretch up and take His hand while I go about looking for acorns.

Dancing for Daddy

Last night my daughter climbed onto our bed and started randomly jumping/running/ stamping and waving her arms in the air (she is 2 years old). She had a huge grin on her face as she said, “Dancing for Daddy”. Daddy wasn’t even in the room, so I had to call him to come and appreciate his daughter delighting in his delight and love for her.

That must be what our Abba Father feels when we dance for him. I am sure He delights in this expression of worship from even the most unskilled of dancers. I come from a “gently charismatic” Anglican background and any form of dancing in church would lead to stares, frowns and possibly a request to restrain oneself. I am not actually sure what would happen as no-one has attempted this feat in my knowledge. Why when we are in the presence of the King do we worry so much about what other people might think. We become inhibited in a place where we should be our most free.

David danced before the Lord with wild abandon. We know that God approved of this selfless act of praise. When our bodies join in with our hearts and minds in celebrating the Lords goodness, the Holy Spirit sits up and takes notice and Jesus comes into the room to be present and to watch us delighting in Him. Perhaps dancing in church is to much for some (people and congregations). Maybe we could start in our homes (with the curtains drawn and the doors closed if need be). Turn up the worship music and “dance for Daddy”. Who knows where we may end up dancing…

The spiritual nature of a harp

I am busy looking at the life of David and have noticed something for the first time. In 1 Samuel 15 Samuel anoints David with oil and the Spirit of the Lord is on David. Then in 1 Samuel 16 David goes to play the harp for Saul. This is because the Spirit of the Lord has left Saul and an evil spirit has taken its place. Now the interesting bit for me is that the evil spirit leaves Saul when David plays the harp.

David does not pray for him or cast out demons. He plays music. He is filled with God’s spirit and a creative act has a direct effect on the spiritual realm. I find that really inspiring. I am becoming increasingly aware that as artists we have access to and a direct influence on the spiritual world. I think this applies to either side of the fence.

It is time Christian artists stood up to be counted amongst God’s army as legitimate members of the body of Christ.